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UPDATE: The Calgary Humane Society has released more information on the seized dogs. Click here for the latest.

CALGARY – Dozens of dogs have been seized from a southeast Calgary home, after they were discovered living in deplorable conditions.

It all started on Tuesday afternoon, when Joanne Leussink was approached by a delivery person who smelled an extremely foul odor coming from the home when he tried to make a delivery. Since Leussink knows the homeowner, she went inside to check if everything was OK. She was shocked to find dog crates stacked to the ceiling, overflowing with urine and feces.

“I came out, and I was bawling,” Leussink says. “I just said, ‘how can you do this?’ This really bothers me, this is really sad that a neighbour, and a person you know that’s how she looks after her animals? That’s terrible!”

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Police called in the Calgary Humane Society and City of Calgary Animal Services, who worked for several hours to remove about 40 dogs from the home. There are about five to 10 different breeds, ranging in age.

It’s believed they all belong to a well-known Calgary dog breeder, but officials have yet to make contact with her.

Workers had to wear hazmat suits when they went inside, due to the deplorable conditions.

“There’s a high level of ammonia in the house, unsanitary conditions,” said Brad Nichols from the Calgary Humane Society. “There are some crowding concerns of course, when you have that many dogs in a bungalow style house.”

He adds that charges could be laid.

“Certainly the conditions of the home are inappropriate for housing animals, there certainly is a potential for animal protection act charges.”

The owner could face up to $20,000 in fines, as well as a lifetime ban on owning animals.