More than 70 dogs rescued from North Texas puppy mill with 'absolutely horrific' living conditions

Stephens County investigators along with the Humane Society of North Texas rescued 73 dogs from an alleged puppy mill on March 18, 2016. Stephens County investigators along with the Humane Society of North Texas rescued 73 dogs from an alleged puppy mill on March 18, 2016. Photo: Courtesy/Humane Society Of North Texas Photo: Courtesy/Humane Society Of North Texas Image 1 of / 62 Caption Close More than 70 dogs rescued from North Texas puppy mill with 'absolutely horrific' living conditions 1 / 62 Back to Gallery

More than six dozen dogs at an alleged puppy mill in North Texas lived in "absolutely horrific" conditions prior to their rescue — some in more than six inches of feces, officials said Wednesday.

RELATED: Authorities seize about 30 cats that took over vacant home on Northwest Side

Stephens County investigators along with the Humane Society of North Texas rescued 73 dogs from the alleged mill on March 18, according to a news release.

Several dogs had been crammed into wire pop-up crates. In other areas, more than six inches of feces covered the floors, a Humane Society investigator said in the release.

There were so many dogs in the house, the investigator said, that the property owners moved into a travel trailer in the yard.

"The conditions these dogs were living in were absolutely horrific," Kim Meek, lead human investigator for Humane Society of North Texas, said in the release.

RELATED: ACS: More than 100 animals seized from West Side home

Owners of the property in Stephens County, roughly 98 miles west of Fort Worth, had been breeding Australian shepherds, border collies, Labrador retrievers and German shepherds.

Dogs bred in puppy mills are commonly sold on the side of the road, on Craigslist or in large flea markets, the Humane Society said.

In addition to the house, dogs were also living in an attached garage and in two large buildings on the property, Meek said.

Two of the dogs were diagnosed with parvovirus, a contagious life-threatening illness in dogs. One of the dogs died over the weekend while another is being treated for the virus.

"Puppies born in puppy mills frequently contract life-threatening diseases such as parvovirus and distemper as a result of the squalor they live in," Cynthia Jones, a veterinarian for Humane Society of North Texas, said in the release. "Sadly, many do not live to see their first birthday."

RELATED: Photos show inside of Texas home where 108 cats were seized

Another dog, named Ranger by Humane Society staff, had a deformed ear and is in need of surgery.

Officials aren't sure what caused Ranger's deformation or the severe cauliflowering of his ear, but said surgery would remove his ear canal and sew it shut, freeing him from chronic ear infections and ear pain.

The Stephens County Animal Shelter received permanent custody of the dogs, but signed over custody of 60 dogs to the Humane Society of North Texas.

The dogs will remain at the society's holding facility until they clear medical evaluations to undergo spay and neuter surgeries.

The society is currently looking for donations to help fund care for the 60 dogs. Donations can be made at the society's website, by calling 817-332-4768 or by mailing a donation to 1840 E. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth, Texas 76103.

jfechter@mySA.com

Twitter: @JFreports