UPDATE: 150 Dogs, Including Newborn Puppies, Removed From Howell Home: Sheriff

HOWELL, NJ -- More than 150 dogs, including a newborn litter of puppies, were removed from "inhumane and deplorable conditions" in a Howell Township home early Friday in what is being referred to as an extreme hoarding situation, according to the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office.

The sheriff's office, in a post on Facebook, called it an extreme animal hoarding case where more than 100 dogs, mostly small ones, were rescued. 

An update posted at 4 p.m. said the total, initially estimated at about 100, was more than 150 dogs, and that the rescue effort was still underway. 

"A litter of puppies was born inside the home in Howell Township this afternoon, just minutes before being rescued. They are now in good hands," the update said. 

The dogs "were living in inhumane and deplorable conditions," the sheriff's office said. The dogs were being vaccinated and microchipped before being sent to the Monmouth County SPCA or St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center in Madison, which was assisting with finding homes for some of the dogs, the post said.

Howell Township police providing traffic control and assistance at the scene, Sgt. Christian Antunez said, but was not directly involved in the rescue.

A call to the Monmouth County SPCA seeking comment was not immediately returned. 

SPCA Chief Ross Licitra spearheaded the operation, according to the sheriff's office. Tierney Park from the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office conducted field communications and assisted with rescue of animals and vaccinations, and provided additional Haz Mat protective gear. The Monmouth County Health Department also assisted, the sheriff's office said.

This is a breaking news report and will be updated as more information becomes available.

(Photos via Monmouth County Sheriff's Office Facebook page)