WILLISTON (AP) - A woman accused of mistreating dozens of animals on her property has been given a suspended sentence that avoids jail time but bars her from having any animals for the next two years.

Kim Lester, 42, of Grenora, received two one-year suspended sentences on misdemeanor animal mistreatment charges. She will be on unsupervised probation over the two-year period, though her property could be searched.

Under the plea agreement signed this week, Northwest District Judge Gerald Rustad barred her from possessing or owning any animals for two years and assessed $325 in fees.

Lester was arrested last June, after Williams County deputies reported finding dead and starving animals on her property.

Authorities said many of the 84 horses, 50 dogs, and 30 birds were confined to very small quarters. State's Attorney Nicole Foster described the conditions as deplorable, though Lester disputed the claim.

The animals were removed from Lester's property and she was released on $2,000 bond after her arrest. She had been found innocent of mistreatment of animals in a 1990 bench trial, and had asked for a bench trial in the latest case.