The Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society (AARCS) says 201 dogs seized from a southern Alberta acreage were in horrendous condition.

AARCS called the seizure one of the worst cases of neglect they have ever seen. The rescue near Milk River is the largest removal of dogs in the province's history, according to the Alberta Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

"They were emaciated, starving, body condition scores one out of five for the most part," said AARCS Executive Director Deanna Thompson. "Due to their breeds, they had major matting of the fur. We have a dog with a broken leg, a broken jaw."

The Alberta SPCA says the animals were kept outside, some chained up, without shelter. They didn't see signs indicating the dogs were being bred to be sold.