The animals were found on the second and third floors of the two-family house on 64th Street in West New York.
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Here is video showing the dogs:
It was a dirty secret concealed for years until a building code violation recently brought city workers to the West New York home.
"As we got to the apartment I saw two dogs fully matted and then we tried to talk to the son and he says, 'Oh, I have a few dogs.' I said, 'What's a few?' He says, 'I might have three-to-four,' and then all the dogs just start running around the apartment," said Geoffrey Santini, Animal Cruelty Investigator.
Inside, animal control officers discovered more than two dozen poodle mixes living in feces and filth. They were apparently neglected for a number of years.
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"This is up there, you know, seeing animals in this condition is never easy. We've seen a lot over the years and we're just so fortunate to have supporters who allow us to come here at a moment's notice and help these animals," said Kimberly Kancylarz, St. Hubert's Development Manager.
"These dogs were just in the house being bred, and just being continually bred, not groomed, not vetted, there was no papers for veterinary care, the matting of the dogs had feces and hair stuck through it, it looked like shaggy carpet and it was actually their own fur," Santini said.
With the help of St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center, the pups will each receive a thorough exam, vaccinations and grooming.
However, what they need most are forever homes that will provide a love they've never experienced before.
"Taking the animals out of their cages, you know the look in their eyes, I think they see hope, they see the light at the end of the tunnel," Kancylarz said.
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Santini says there's always telltale signs with cases like this and it's important people remain aware and speak up if they believe something doesn't seem right in their neighborhood.
"Someone had to know something, please report it, it's anonymous, call the police department, you don't have to get involved, but remember the animals don't have a voice," Santini said.
Three members of the family that was living there are now facing animal cruelty charges.
For information on how to adopt a pet from St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center please visit: https://www.sthuberts.org/animals-available-for-adoption/