KEYPORT -- Care efforts are underway for the 17 dogs removed from conditions at a Keyport home that officials say were the worst they've ever seen.
Keyport police responded to the Pine Street home late Saturday night after receiving a complaint of barking dogs. When police arrived, they saw the windows were blanketed in flies and debris. Several dogs were running in the yard and there was a strong odor emanating from the home, officials said.
The Monmouth County SPCA was called in after police found dogs covered with garbage, fleas and feces.
Monmouth County SPCA Lt. Tom Nuccio said the conditions in the home were deplorable.
"The worst I've seen in my 25 years of law enforcement," he said in a press release.
Seventeen dogs -- 11 puppies and six adult dogs around 3 or 4 years old -- were removed from the home.
"This flea infestation is the worst I have ever seen," said Nicole Feddersen, medical director of the Monmouth County SPCA. "We couldn't tell that the white dogs were actually white."
At the Monmouth County SPCA headquarters in Eatontown, where officials are still caring for a portion of the 276 dogs removed from the recent extreme hoarding case in Howell, the Keyport dogs underwent physical examinations, heartworm tests, received vaccinations and had microchips placed in them.
Feddersen said the dogs are frightened and anti-social, but they are starting to come around.
"They are eating well and getting lots of TLC," she said.
The dogs will be up for adoption within seven to 14 days, official said. They still need to be spayed and neutered.
The Monmouth County SPCA is seeking monetary donations for medical treatment, food, supplies and care to the dogs while they wait for adoption. Donations can be made on the agency's website, by phone (732-440-1557) or through the mail. Donations can be mailed to: MCSPCA, Keyport Case, 260 Wall Street, Eatontown, NJ 07724.
Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.