LUMBERTON — Twenty-one animals have been seized from a puppy mill in Robeson County, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

The puppy mill was discovered after the Sheriff’s Office received a call on Monday about a puppy that had passed out. According to a statement from the Sheriff’s Office, the caller had recently bought the puppy, which was rushed to a veterinary hospital and treated for a ruptured spleen and lacerated liver.

“The veterinary bills amounted to $3,500 to save the life of the puppy,” the statement said.

The Major Crimes Division began investigating and on Thursday the Sheriff’s Office Animal Cruelty Investigator visited the puppy mill off of N.C. 710. An exact location was not available Friday evening.

“… The animals were found living in deplorable conditions with sick animals on the property,” the statement said.

The 21 animals were taken to a veterinarian for treatment. They are not currently in need of adoption or foster care, the statement said.

Charges are expected but had not been filed as of Friday.