WEST NEW YORK — Twenty-seven poodles were rescued from deplorable conditions inside a three-story home that has been condemned.

The dogs were rescued from the home when they started running around during a routine inspection on Wednesday, according to Heather Cammisa, CEO of St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center of Madison.

"Some of them were completely encased in matting," Cammisa said.

The poodles ranged in age between eight months and eight years old.

Two of the police officers that initially helped remove the dogs each adopted one of the poodles.

Poodles rescued from West New York home
(St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center)
loading...

Cammisa said her staff and volunteers went to work checking over each dog, shaving them down and cleaning them up. Some of the matting was so severe that some of them were eliminating in their own mats or fur.

"It's a buildup and it looks like they're sitting on a cushion," Cammisa said.

One of the dogs was found to have ruptured tumors while being shaved, and was in a lot of pain.

"Our veterinarian deemed that the kindest thing for that dog was to be put to sleep," Cammisa said.

More groomers were coming in on Friday to achieve the goal of getting all the dogs shaved down.

There is no timetable for when the poodles will be available for adoption. Cammisa said some of the dogs are so shut down and withdrawn that they need to be tranquilized in order to shave them, and make them more sociable in preparation for adoption.

"Some are going to need more time. As with any rescue, some bounce very quickly and some need a little more care," Cammisa said.

Cammisa said donations to help with the care of the dogs can be made on the St. Hubert's website. Donations will be matched by an anonymous donor up to a total of $85,000.

Three members of the family living at the home could be charged with animal cruelty .

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com.

More from New Jersey 101.5:

More From New Jersey 101.5 FM