An MSU student and her family were charged with torturing and killing animals at their Lapeer County farm.

Kate Mills, an animal science junior and 4-H Club queen, was charged with a felony count of animal killing and torturing, and misdemeanor counts of cruelty and abandonment, animal burial, and for possessing an unlicensed dog, according to the Lapeer County 71-A District Court.

Mills was released on a $5,000 personal bond and is scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m. June 19.

Also charged is Mills' father, Mark, 46; mother, Ellen, 44; and brother, Andrew, 19.

Lapeer County Animal Control officers removed seven dead lambs, a dead horse and three undernourished dogs from the farm. The family could face up to four years in prison if convicted.

Mills was stripped of her 4-H queen title May 3 and will not be able to ride in a Fourth of July parade unless the issue is resolved in her favor, said L.C. Scramlin, a 4-H Oakland County board member.

The organization's standard of conduct prohibits cruelty to animals and Mills' crown is on hold pending resolution of the charges.

"I've been taking care of animals my whole life," Mills told The Flint Journal.

"My animals are putting me through college. I love my animals."

The family's attorney, David Richardson, said he plans to file a motion to dismiss charges against Mills.

"It's impossible for her to abuse and neglect animals … when she's living in East Lansing during the course of the year," he said.

Authorities have been to the Mills' home on previous animal complaints, none of which has resulted in charges, Lapeer County Chief Prosecutor Byron Konschuh said.

Staff writer Ashley A. Smith contributed to this report.