Investigators are continuing to deal with the largest animal hoarding seizure in Alberta’s history, and describe a deplorable scene where 200 dogs were left emaciated, sick, and injured.

Beginning in December of last year, SPCA officials had 60 dogs voluntarily surrendered to them by April Irving, a woman who was housing the dogs on an acreage near Milk River.

Following that surrender, officials looking into the case inspected the property and seized another 140 dogs in mid-January.

They’re calling the conditions the dogs were left in ‘horrific’.

“The animals are in horrible condition,” said Deanna Thompson, a volunteer with Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society in Calgary. “They are extremely emaciated; their breeds show they have a lot of really poor hair and skin. They’re badly matted. We’ve seen a lot of injuries; we have a dog with a broken leg, a puppy with a broken jaw, another dog that’s missing a leg.”

According to court documents issued in connection with the case, the dogs were tethered with chains and left tied to farm machinery and abandoned vehicles. Many of the animals had no protection from the cold.

“The initial enormity of the amount of dogs was overwhelming. The total that we got from the property, the dogs that were in distress or likely to be in distress, was 140 live dogs and five deceased dogs,” says Grant Thompson with the Alberta SPCA.

Irving, meanwhile, isn’t taking the seizure lying down. She has reportedly filed a statement of claim against the SPCA, seeking to have all the dogs and property returned and compensation for damages.

This isn’t the first time that Irving has had a run-in with the SPCA. Documents show that in 2007, the SPCA seized a number of dogs she owned while she was living in Fort McMurray.

The Saskatchewan SPCA also seized 82 dogs from her property when she was living near Foam Lake, SK, in 2010.

Many of the dogs are still being cared for by AARCS, while a number have already been fostered out. Officials say those that remain will require extensive vet care, and long term treatment before they’re healthy enough to be put up for adoption.

So far, no charges have been laid against Irving.

(With files from CTV Lethbridge’s Terry Vogt)