It was a cold day in December when nearly 200 dogs were seized by Yellowstone County from Ballantine dog breeder, Linda Kapsa.

Now, seven months later Kapsa hears her fate from State District Court Judge Susan Watters.

"The court will permit you to the department of public health and human services for a period of 20 years," states Watters.  "I will agree to suspend that term on various conditions."

Along with her 20 years of parole, Kapsa can only keep three altered dogs and the court is also limiting her ownership of other animals.

But it was a long journey before the verdict came.

Here's a recap:

On December 11 of last year the county seized the first batch of animals, 25 to be exact and 13 of those were dead dogs.

Then, on December 30 about 200 dogs were taken from the Shady Lane Kennel, along with a few cats and birds.  Another nine dogs were discovered dead.  And Kapsa found herself facing felony charges of aggravated animal cruelty.

"If they hurt or damage or kill one of my dogs or any of my animals, I'll sue the hell out of this county and then some because they're my dogs.  They're my property," Kapsa said during an interview on December 30.

While her statements remain constant a number of other things have changed.

Once wild like a pack of wolves, many of the dogs are now tamed by volunteers who donated thousands of hours of their time.

And you can't forget about the puppies.  More than 40 of them were born within a couple months of the seizure.

While the puppies developed so did the case.

Kapsa originally pleaded not guilty, but then changed her plea to "no contest" last month after realizing the odds of keeping many of the dogs weren't in her favor.

"It's going to be very hard to say good-bye to them," explained Kapsa during an interview on July 13 while touring the dogs at the MetraPark barns.  "Extremely hard.  They're my life."

After a three hour sentencing Watters decided three of those dogs would become her life.

The case is settled but it's not over yet.

"I think it's a relief that this part of the case is done, that we can now work at moving these dogs on to good and appropriate homes," explains Deputy Yellowstone County Attorney Ingrid Rosenquist.

Once Kapsa picks her three all the dogs will be spayed and neutered and adopted out immediately.

Now for a final tally, more than $40,000 in cash donations rolled in to help the dogs during their stay at MetraPark in the past seven months.

But unfortunately for tax payers that amount doesn't come close to covering the bill of nearly $200,000.

While it won't cover everything, Kapsa has been ordered to pay $50.00 a month in restitution for the next 20 years.

The dog breeder convicted of aggravated animal cruelty will keep three altered dogs.

Ballantine dog breeder Linda Kapsa was sentenced to 20 years with the Montana Department of Health and Human Services Tuesday morning, with all of it suspended.

Under District Court Judge Susan Watters, Kapsa is allowed to keep three altered dogs, 20 chickens, ten goats, three altered cats, two cockateils, and four horses.

She will be monitored by a probation officer until 2029.

Judge Watters orders Kapsa to pay $50.00 a month in restitution over the 20 year time span, amounting to $12,000.

More than 200 dogs were seized from Kapsa's Shady Lane Kennel last December and have been fed and sheltered by Yellowstone County at the barns at Metra Park ever since, accumulating a hefty bill of $194,207.90.

Once spayed and neutered, the dogs will be adopted out immediately.