B.C. SPCA animal protection officers rescued 59 dogs from what it says was an irresponsible breeder in Quesnel after the organization received reports of several injured dogs at the property. Many of the dogs are very young and include 18 Cane Corso puppies born within the last month.

鈥淲hen officers arrived at the home, they were hit with an overwhelming ammonia odour which burned their noses. The ground was littered with garbage, urine and old feces was stuck to the floor, dogs had access to injurious objects as well as medications,鈥� said Eileen Drever, the BC SPCA鈥檚 senior officer protection and stakeholder relations, in a news release. 鈥淚n the main area of the home, there were large portions of drywall that had been chewed through around an electrical socket.鈥� 

Drever described the condition of the animals as devastating. Many of the dogs, including the nursing moms, were extremely thin with their ribs, spines and hip bones prominently visible, Drever said.

"The dogs are extremely fearful and under-socialized. Some of the puppies were observed shivering in the yard and hiding behind a ripped-up couch amongst pieces of foam from other furniture, feces, urine and dirty straw," Drever described. "One of the dogs would only approach our officer for food and then would run away cowering in fear.鈥� 

In addition to the dirty and unsafe living conditions, one litter of puppies, less than a week old, was seen with castration bands meant for docking on their tails.

The puppies have been examined by a veterinarian who said they are in severe pain with spinal cord and nerve exposure and infection. The puppies will need to have immediate surgical removal of their tails to relieve this distress.

Tail docking and ear cropping for cosmetic purposes has been banned by the College of Veterinarians of British Columbia since 2016 because these procedures cause unnecessary pain and suffering, unless medically required to treat injury or disease. 

There was also an aviary room on the property, which the release described as filled with bird feces and dirty cages housing parrots and lovebirds. Several birds were loose in the home with the dogs. Two of the birds, a Macaw and an African Grey, were missing a large number of feathers indicating illness or emotional stress.

鈥淚t鈥檚 just horrible to think about how long these animals have suffered, without love and proper care. They were all used and abused all to make money,鈥� said Drever.

The organization's Drive for Lives program will help transport the animals to SPCA centres across B.C. due to the large number of animals. Once removed from the property, the animals requiring immediate medical attention were brought to a veterinarian for appropriate treatment.

The SPCA said the dogs will not be available for adoption due to the ongoing investigation. The organization is recommending charges be laid. Quesnel RCMP confirmed they assisted with the investigation.

People who would like to support the animals at the B.C. SPCA can visit .