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HOKE COUNTY, N.C. – The Department of Agriculture said it's looking into allegations that a member of its organization tipped off Butterball officials about an animal cruelty investigation just days before authorities executed a search warrant.

Court documents show Dr. Sarah Mason told authorities she called Dr. Eric Gonder on Dec. 23 and informed him she had heard there was an investigation into the Butterball Farm in Hoke County.

The documents show authorities were aware of the possible leak when a manager with Butterball called one of the Hoke County Assistant District Attorneys to ask him if they were investigating Butterball.

The agriculture department says they are gathering information about the incident.

"It's just too soon to say what the outcomes will be and what action might be taken but we're going to gather the facts and we'll let the facts sort of dictate what we'll do from here," said Department of Agriculture official Brian Long.

The investigation into the Butterball turkey farm is ongoing. At this time no charges have been filed.