Suffolk County SPCA: 27 Dachshunds Found Living In Deplorable Conditions In Home

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A Long Island man has been taken into custody after authorities say they found more than two dozen dogs living in deplorable conditions.

Newsday reports 57-year-old John Lowery was charged over the weekend with animal cruelty and his house was condemned after authorities found 27 dachshunds living on the property in Hauppauge Saturday.

Roy Gross of the Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said the dogs were living amid urine and feces in the home. Gross said the home isn't habitable by humans or animals.

"They said that the dogs were living in this environment that some of my officers said that they've never seen anything that bad," Gross told 1010 WINS.

Gross said some of the dogs had lice and three puppies were severely dehydrated. The animals are now being cared for by Save-a-Pet and are looking for forever homes.

"They're good with children and they're really great," Save-A-Pet founder Dori Scofield said, adding that they're looking for "responsible, good homes" for the dogs.

Officials made the discovery after firefighters and police responded to a reported fire at the home.

Lowery is scheduled to be arraigned Sept. 2. He couldn't immediately be reached for comment.

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