Police Save 22 Dogs Living In SUV In The Bronx

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Nearly two dozen dogs were rescued from an SUV in the Bronx.

Police responded to a 911 call from a concerned citizen who found a 54-year-old woman and 22 dogs inside a Mercedes-Benz near Edison Avenue and Middletown Road earlier this week.

"We didn't realize how many were in there," Deputy Inspector Danielle Raia, commanding officer of the 45th Precinct, told 1010 WINS. "They were in bad condition, the car was absolutely destroyed, it smelled horrendous. There was feces and urine everywhere, all over."

Raia said the dogs were mostly puppies. A German shepherd was also rescued from the vehicle.

It is believed the dogs had never experienced life outside their cramped quarters.

"We were told the dogs never touched pavement, they never walked on regular concrete so this is the first time that they were actually out of that car," Raia said. "They lived their entire life in that car."

Some of the animals required immediate medical attention.

They are being cared for at the Bobbi & The Strays animal shelter.

"They're doing really good," founder Bobbi Giordano said.

"We have three that are really frightened, they stay in the back of the cage," Giordano added. "We have three together, so they're not lonely. They're very attached to each other."

She said the dogs were cleaned, groomed and had their nails trimmed when they were brought in, and are now getting all their necessary shots. They will also be spayed or neutered and chipped. Volunteers are also helping the dogs socialize.

It is unclear when the dogs will be available for adoption.

Authorities said the woman, who they describe as emotionally disturbed, was brought for treatment to Montefiore Medical Center, 1010 WINS reported.