Police rescue 70 dogs at suspected puppy mill northeast of Montreal

Quebec provincial police and animal welfare authorities say they’ve seized 70 dogs inside a private home believed to be a puppy mill.

Authorities say four dead dogs were also found in the basement of the home in Saint-Gabriel-de-Brandon, about 120 kilometres northeast of Montreal.

Sgt. Eloise Cossette says police began a fraud investigation after the province’s order of veterinarians complained that vaccination certificates dog owners had received when purchasing their pets appeared to be falsified.

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READ MORE: 19 dog carcasses found near Quebec City, police investigating

She says when police arrived at the home on Wednesday to arrest a 44-year-old woman, they found dogs on every floor of the house.

Cossette says officers were confronted with a tremendous stench and found dogs in cages and even in the bathtub.

Animal welfare groups have since transferred the dogs to a secure location to receive medical treatment.

Provincial police say they will continue their investigation to see whether animal cruelty charges will be laid.