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Seven dogs are being given a new chance at life after the Nova Scotia SPCA rescued them from “horrible” living conditions on Monday.

SPCA Chief Provincial Inspector Joanne Landsburg said they seized seven dogs they believe were being raised for the purpose of breeding.

READ MORE: Woman charged with animal cruelty after SPCA investigation in Halifax

“We responded to find five dogs actually being housed in a minivan outside an apartment building … one of the dogs unfortunately had deceased,” Landsburg said. The dead dog was found inside a garbage bag.

The four dogs that were alive were taken from the van. Landsburg said after an altercation with the owner, they found she was hiding three more dogs.

“They were actually housed in really horrible conditions, in small crates, sitting in their own feces and urine and the smell was quite horrendous, so we’re happy to get them out.” Tweet This

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Landsburg said one of the dogs had a broken leg that may have to be amputated.

One of seven dogs rescued by the Nova Scotia SPCA on Nov. 21 is being shaved by SPCA workers. Paul DeWitt/Global News One of seven dogs rescued by the Nova Scotia SPCA on Nov. 21. One of seven dogs rescued by the Nova Scotia SPCA on Nov. 21. One of seven dogs rescued by the Nova Scotia SPCA on Nov. 21. Four dogs were seized and one dog was found dead in this van by Nova Scotia SPCA on Nov. 21.

When SPCA staff found the dogs, Landsburg said the smell of ammonia was “overwhelming,” adding “it looked they had been sitting in these crates for days, if not over a week or so.”

All of the dogs had to be completely shaven because their fur was badly matted with feces and urine. They were also undernourished, Landsburg said.

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READ MORE: Abandoned animals all too common in Nova Scotia, NS SPCA says

The body of the the deceased dog has been sent for a necropsy.

The SPCA says it hopes the seven rescued dogs will be put up for adoption after the investigation is complete.

The dogs all have a good temperament and are “really lovely dogs,” Landsburg said. “We’re hopeful that they’ll have a good outcome.”

Landsburg estimates it will cost the SPCA several thousand dollars to care for the animals — each one has to be seen by a vet, some require further medical attention and vaccinations and they all need to reach a healthy weight.

READ MORE: Nova Scotia SPCA seizes dogs from puppy mill in Annapolis County

Charges are pending against the owner of the eight dogs.

The owner is known to the SPCA and has surrendered dogs to them in the past, which she had been breeding to sell.

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