Animal control officials in a Michigan town seized nearly 100 animals -- including 83 dogs -- from a breeder's home, authorities said.
Officials in St. Clair County removed 83 dogs -- which are small toy breeds -- four cats and two birds from the home, WXYZ-TV reported,
“The dogs, the majority of them were so matted and their toenails were so overgrown they could hardly walk and they couldn’t see," Erika Stroman, director of St. Clair County Animal Control, told the television station.
Authorities told WDIV a tip led them to the animals. The dogs were found in wire cages, Stroman said, stacked on top of each other, the television station reported.
“These dogs have lived in wire bottom cages their entire life,” Stroman told the television station. "They don’t totally understand the concept of being out of a cage and walking on a solid floor.”
The dogs, ranging in age from 12 weeks to 10 years old, will be put up for adoption, WXYZ reported. But first, they must be nursed back to health. One dog had surgery for an infected uterus and another was being treated for a broken jaw, the television station reported.
Stroman said the breeder, who has not been formally charged with a crime, has had animal neglect calls in the past.
"She did express that she knew that their coats were bad but other than that, she thought they were fine," Stroman told WXYZ.
Animal control officials said they may pursue felony charges, the television station reported.
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