The Hamilton Burlington SPCA has removed 149 small-breed dogs from what officials describe as "deplorable conditions."

The animal protection department at the HBSPCA received a complaint on Friday that a large number of dogs were at an address in Waterford.

The number of dogs involved "is overwhelming," said Vivian LaFlamme, an inspector at the HBSPCA.

The investigation is ongoing, LaFlamme said, and the agency is unable to release many details, she said.

"I can say it was a cruelty investigation of a large scale and the age and sex of the animals were varied.

The seizure comes at a time when the agency is already overcapacity with the number of animals currently in their care.

"Blankets, litter pans, towels, anything like that ,we desperately need," LaFlamme said.