NEW PORTLAND -- Animal welfare officials say nearly four dozen dogs have been seized from two homes in New Portland where they were caged.

The 46 dogs, mostly medium-sized and mixed breeds, were discovered following an anonymous complaint last week. They were malnourished, matted with feces and affected by fleas, mange and worms.

They've been turned over to shelters.

The dogs' former owner moved last fall and left them to a caretaker. But Norma Worley of the state Animal Welfare Program says the animals were probably living in poor conditions before the caretaker became responsible for them.

Worley calls the situation "a disaster." She's not releasing the caretaker's name.