The New Jersey SPCA swooped in to rescue almost 100 dogs from a Salem County farm this weekend.
Animal control officials took 88 dogs from a farm along the 400 block of Monroeville Road in Upper Pittsgrove Township, N.J. Saturday, NJSPCA officials said.
Many of the canines, which range in age from a few months to 11 years old, are infested with parasites and have skin and dental issues, officials said.
"They were very obviously living in very poor sanitary conditions," said Bev Greco of the Cumberland County SPCA. Her organization and the Gloucester County SPCA helped with the raid.
"They were living in confined quarters with mass population," Greco said. She also says many of the dogs had urine burns, fecal matter embedded in their fur and some may have never seen sunlight.
The farm's owner, Louanne Koval, 73, has faced animal cruelty charges before, officials said. She was also a puppy breeder.
"This is a hoarder who does it for profit," Greco said.
The Humane Society of the U.S. had been investigating Koval's farm for about a month and have been trying to get Koval to clean up the living quarters, officials say.
They chose to confiscate the animals after the persuasions failed. Farm animals including an emu, buffalo and chickens are still in the woman's care. Attempts to contact Koval for comment were unsuccessful.
As for the dogs, 54 of the pups are recovering at the Cumberland County SPCA. The rest are being cared for by the Gloucester County SPCA and other foster homes.
They will eventually be put up for adoption, but Greco warns that they will need owners who are willing and able to continue with their recovery care.
Here is a list of shelters where the dogs can be found:
Animal Alliance
22 Harbourton Mounty Airy Road
Lambertville, N.J. 08530
Noah's Ark
1915 Route 46 West
Ledgewood, N.J. 07852
Mount Pleasant Animal Shelters
194 Route 10 West
East Hanover, N.J. 07936
Cumberland County SPCA
1244 N. Delsea Drive
Vineland, N.J. 08360
