New York City - On Thursday, rescue workers found around 50 dogs locked up in a confined space in an apartment in the New York borough of Queens. The details that later came to light are horrifying.

The helpers from an animal welfare organization rushed to the apartment after being notified that a tenant had to move out and his dogs needed shelter.

However, no one had expected the picture that the rescuers saw on site: 48 puppies and dogs were crammed into the apartment with no access to light or fresh air. According tothe New York Post, the animals were even living between narrow shelves and cupboards.

"These dogs have lived their entire lives in complete captivity," said Tara Mercado, director of the Animal Care Center of NYC's shelter division. "We found adult Malinois hiding in closets and crammed behind furniture."

Helpers spent two days getting the four-legged friends out of the apartment. Three of them even had to be put to sleep afterwards.

But the details that have now come to light about the owner and the living conditions of the animals leave us speechless.

Neighbors reported that the man lived on the 7th floor with his dogs. But what repeatedly caught the residents' attention was the foul stench coming from the apartment. They are also said to have observed the dog owner throwing excrement from the balcony.

"We all assumed that there were two or three dogs there. We never thought there were that many. We never saw them anywhere," said one of the neighbors.

Another resident claims to have seen the man even kicking his four-legged friends. A criminal investigation into the owner has now been launched.

However, the animals first have to recover from their previous ordeal. According to the animal shelter, they are "extremely anxious" and "under-socialized". Every noise and every interaction is overwhelming for the dogs.