AP

A puppy mill (archive photo).

More than 70 dogs have been rescued from a North Texas puppy mill where they had been living in a metal building without air conditioning and little water.

The Humane Society of the United States Southwest Regional office, who helped authorities with the rescue, described the condition of the animals as "deplorable."

They said many of the dogs were suffering from severe mange and matted fur.

"No animal deserves to be mistreated like this. It is our hope that every one of these dogs will find a loving home," said the organization's Jay Sabatucci.

All of the rescued dogs will be vetted, evaluated and made available for adoption.

The dogs ranged from two-day-old Chihuahua puppies to adult Rottweilers.

Puppy mills are dog-breeding operations. They are located across the country.

"Breeding stock" animals are caged and continually bred for years, without human companionship and with little hope to ever become part of a family, the humane society said.