Authorities seized 60 dogs — as well as a dozen dead ones — Wednesday from what the SPCA of Texas is calling a Canton puppy mill.

Members of the animal-rescue group, with Van Zandt County deputies and constables, found many of the dogs stuck without food or water in crates full of feces. In one room, nursing mothers and their litters were found in small cages in a closet.

More dogs "roamed the urine-soaked, feces-filled house with little to no access to food or water," the SPCA said in a news release.

A dead dog and 11 dead puppies were discovered in a kitchen freezer, wrapped individually in plastic bags.

1 / 11 2 / 11 3 / 11 4 / 11 5 / 11 6 / 11 7 / 11 8 / 11 9 / 11 10 / 11 11 / 11

The animals' owner told authorities the animals were being sold for profit, the SPCA said. The group said it was unclear whether the owner had a commercial breeding license.

The dogs were taken to the SPCA's Dallas facility for medical examination and care. A hearing to determine their custody is set for March 23.