COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- The state says nine calf carcasses were found in the driveway of a vacant central Ohio home, and it's not clear how the animals died or why they were left there.

Ohio Department of Agriculture spokeswoman Erica Hawkins says a veterinarian viewed the carcasses Tuesday and found no evidence that the animals were hurt or abused or that they had any contagious disease. The department picked up the carcasses from the Columbus property to properly dispose of them.

Hawkins said it's a rare situation because most owners dispose of dead animals through legal methods.

She said the calves had unofficial ear tags that are used to distinguish one cow from others but don't include traceable information. She said information about the carcasses could be sent to authorities for further investigation.

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