Puppies and adult dogs were found in small, filthy cages after search Monday, according to animal welfare officials
IRVINGTON -- Officials discovered more than 20 dogs living in "dreadful conditions" at a house in Irvington, the Associated Humane Societies said Tuesday.
The puppies and adult boxer mixes were in "tiny cages and carriers filled with feces," according to a statement from Associated Humane Societies of Newark, which rescued the animals Monday.
"No owner was present at the time that the cruelty complaint was made nor could one be reached during the removal of these poor, frightened dogs," the animal welfare group said. "It looked as if it had been quite some time since the dogs were cared for by anyone as evidenced by the filth that they were living in and the malnourished appearance of most of the dogs."
Most of the puppies were "completely emaciated," the statement added.
Animal control officers brought the dogs to the AHS Newark shelter, where veterinarians vaccinated and dewormed the dogs, the group said. They were also treated for fleas.
100 animals rescued from 'deplorable' hoarding conditions
The New Jersey New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals police were investigating, officials said. All of the dogs were being kept at Associated Humane Societies facilities while the probe continued and they received more care.
"It is not up to us to determine what the [owner's] intent was for these poor dogs, but it is easy enough to surmise that they were not being treated as family pets," AHS added.
NJSPCA spokesman Matt Stanton said charges were pending in the Irvington case.
AHS said recent months have seen several cases of animal abuse in the area. In July, the organization rescued more than 100 dogs, cats, rabbits and birds from houses in Newark and Hillside. Across the state, animal welfare authorities have also noted an apparent jump in hoarding incidents.
"This has been an extraordinarily awful summer for animals found to be living in deplorable conditions and kept by cruel and neglectful individuals," the AHS statement said. "The only good news is that more and more people are speaking up on behalf of the animals, and we hope that trend will continue."
Citing the spike in cases, AHS said it was accepting donations on its website or by texting HumaneHelp to 41444.
Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.