40 dogs found living in filthy Lakewood home

LAKEWOOD, N.J. (WPVI) -- More than 40 dogs were rescued after they were found living inside a home that was covered in filth.

Lorraine Healy has done countless dog rescues over the years, but says what she saw at a dilapidated, garbage-filled house on Spruce Street in Lakewood, New Jersey is by far the worst.

"The entire house was just wall-to-wall feces and urine. It was like walking through about 6 inches of slippery mud," Healy said.

"It was horrendous."

Animal control officers removed the dogs from the premises. They were found in filthy condition with their coats so matted and dirty they had to be shaved down to the skin.

"The dogs were actually living in the walls. They had eaten holes in the walls and were running from room to room," said Healy.

A man who wouldn't tell us his name says he bought the house to knock down and to redevelop the property. He says his female tenant told him only that she was moving out.

"I was shocked," he said. "She never let me inside the house. I had no idea what was going on in there."

But neighbors have been complaining for months.

"It always smelled every time I walked by," said Raphaeli Landau.

"Smelled like manure and dogs. It didn't smell good," said Max Grubner.

While crews in HAZMAT suits and breathing masks boarded up the house, the dogs have been sent to various shelters and rescue groups for care.

The woman who kept the dogs has not been seen, but signed them over to local animal officials earlier this week.

The state SPCA says she'll Likely face cruelty charges.

Meanwhile, rescuers hope to get the animals healthy again, then put them up for adoption.