Nineteen dogs were removed recently from a Tuscarora residence for their safety and living conditions after the owner went to the hospital due to possible carbon monoxide poisoning.

Tuscarora Fire Chief Thomas Slane said the home had levels at 2,000 parts per million. A pipe blocked on a coal stoker was the cause, he said. The woman, who was taken to a hospital, is home now. Slane said she was conscious but “quite disoriented.” Her name was not provided. No carbon monoxide detectors were installed and working.

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission said at prolonged levels above 150 to 200 parts per million, death is possible.

The Schuylkill County Communications Center alerted Dana Smith-Mansell, a humane cruelty officer, to the dogs in the home June 6.

She said the “overall living conditions were very poor.”

In all, four puppies, French bulldogs, mixtures of pugs and French bulldogs, two poodle type dogs and mini schnauzers were removed.

“They seemed to be in pretty good condition,” she said weight wise, adding they are friendly toward people.

One of the French bulldogs was diagnosed with an enlarged heart and a trachea problem by a veterinarian, she said.

The fire department helped remove the dogs, which had fecal matter on them, from the home. Slane said the dogs were running free in the house that had fecal matter and urine in it. Cages inside also needed cleaned. Dogs were also in the backyard.

“The smell was overwhelming,” Smith-Mansell said.

The owner has not surrendered the dogs that are at Hillside SPCA and Ruth Steinert Memorial SPCA, Smith-Mansell said.

“They are not up for adoption at this point and the investigation is ongoing,” she said.

Monetary donations, canned wet food and blankets for the dogs are appreciated, Smith-Mansell said.