Nearly two dozen dogs are rescued from a home in the Town of Union.


Authorities say the 22 dogs were found in the basement of the home located at 310 Beckwith Avenue.


The dogs were covered in their own feces and living without food or water.


Sheriff's Deputies along with code enforcement

deemed the home uninhabitable due to the odor and poor air quality.


The Broome County Humane Society equipped with hazmat suits and respirators helped transport the animals to a local vet.


The 22 shih- tzu dogs suffered from ear mites, eye infections, blindness, and deafness.


Lt. Ben Harting of the Broome County Sheriff's Office said, "It's very disheartening as a person who loves animals myself it's very disheartening to see animals in this situation.


A volunteer helping transport the animals earlier Thursday was bitten by one of the dogs and treated by EMS due to the high risk of infection.

No charges have been filed at this time however, the investigation is still pending.