Students at an Oklahoma State fraternity woke up to find a dead Longhorn laying in their front yard on Friday.

According to Stillwater Police, a criminal investigation is now underway after they were called to the FarmHouse Fraternity on South Monroe St. Investigators are trying to figure out where the Longhorn came from and the cause of death. Police said that whoever is responsible could be facing various animal cruelty-related charges.

The Longhorn was branded with profanity directed toward the fraternity and appears to have had its stomach sliced open.

The FarmHouse Fraternity released this statement just after noon on Friday:

"This morning it was discovered that a deceased carcass of a Longhorn cow had been discarded in the front yard of our chapter house, branded with a phrase referencing our chapter in an inappropriate manner. We immediately reported the incident to local authorities and are working with them as they continue their investigation.

As a chapter founded on principles driven by our agricultural roots, we're just as sickened and surprised by this incident as our peers on campus. It is disheartening to see the disregard for proper animal welfare and treatment displayed by this situation.

To our knowledge, no Farm House member was involved in this incident and we do not condone cruelty or defacing of livestock in any manner."

Oklahoma State also released a statement on Friday calling the display disturbing and promising to take action once the investigation is complete.

"Oklahoma State University is appalled at the disturbing display of animal cruelty that occurred overnight at an off-campus location near a fraternity house. The Stillwater Police Department is investigating the incident, and the university’s Office of Student Support and Conduct also has initiated an investigation.  

Oklahoma State expects all students to adhere to university codes of conduct, and appropriate action will be taken based on the outcome of the investigation."

OSU President Kayse Shrum added that they expect this case to be prosecuted.

"While we do not yet know who is responsible, a criminal investigation is underway into a shocking and deeply disturbing act of animal cruelty that was reported this morning near the OSU campus. We expect that authorities will prosecute this case to the full extent of the law, and we stand with the Stillwater community in condemning this reprehensible act, which in no way represents the values of our institution," wrote Shrum.

Students on campus say the whole thing is unsettling. 

"I was certainly, for a lack of better word, surprised. I didn't really have any words. I'm honestly curious about the backstory behind that," said student Tyler Smith. 

"It was kind of sad to see obviously. I don't know who was the culprit of it, but it was just sad to see that," said student Anna Wetsell. 

Until the questions are answered, students say they're still disturbed. 

"I thought it was really disgusting for another human to do that; that's just awful," said student Dailee Taylor.

Police said that they are checking cameras in the area to see exactly when the animal was dropped off there and are asking anyone with information to come forward.

**Warning The Images Below May Be Upsetting**

Photos provided by Kennedy Thomason and The O'Colly