Check out this Associated Press photo and the info below. This is horrifying...

A lone border collie looks down at rows of cages used to hold captured dogs as they wait to be vaccinated by the Marion County Humane Society after a shutdown of a puppy mill operation on Tuesday in Jefferson, Texas.

The hospitalized owner of about 140 starving dogs seized in Northeast Texas could face charges over the neglected animals.

The Marshall News-Messenger reported Wednesday that the animals have been rescued from property near Jefferson.

Humane Society of Marion County leader Caroline Wedding says some animals were in cages, while others were left to roam the woods.

She says the dogs are being treated for flea infestations, skin diseases, infected eyes and starvation.

Officials say the owner, a 64-year-old man whose name has not been released, had been away from the property since last month after being admitted to a hospital in Shreveport, La.

Some of his relatives contacted animal rescue authorities, who began seizing the dogs last Friday.

-- Robin Palmer
rpalmer@news-herald.com