ROSELLE — A borough man is expected to face criminal charges after authorities said 41 dogs were discovered living in severely unsanitary and inhumane living conditions in his home.

Matt Stanton, a spokesperson for the NJ SPCA, described it as a "typical hoarding case," which was brought to the agency's attention via its hotline.

The dogs were removed from the Thompson Avenue house of Evelio J. Calderon, 40, last Thursday, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office and New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said Wednesday.

Borough police and health officials said the residence was in a state of squalor. Investigators wore full hazardous materials suits to protect themselves, prosecutors said.

The dogs, which ranged in age from puppies to seniors and included different breeds and sizes, had been locked inside the home and forced to relieve themselves indoors. The agencies do not know how long the dogs had been living in these conditions, but Stanton said it was "pretty clear they had been there a while."

Most of the dogs are expected to survive. Cranford-based Traveling Paws Animal Rescue provided on-site treatment for acute injuries such as infected wounds, malnourishment, joint problems and eye issues.  Two dogs were taken to local veterinarians for immediate emergency treatment for shock, prosecutors said.

The dogs have been taken to four New Jersey shelters: St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in Madison, the Last Resort Animal Rescue in West Milford, and the Edison and Montclair municipal animal shelters.

Darcy Del Castillo, supervisor of the Associated Humane Societies based in Newark, arranged for the dogs’ placement and transport, the announcement said.

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