A desperate situation was unfolding in east Auckland last night as concerned residents tried to save three dogs that appeared to have been abandoned in an unoccupied house.

One of the residents contacted the Times at about 4pm about the plight of the dogs, which were stuck in a residential property in Bucklands Beach.

The woman, who doesn’t want to be identified, says the Bucklands Beach Road house has been empty since December last year.

She says the SPCA has been informed of the situation and an inspector has fed the dogs through an open window.

Auckland Council’s Animal Management and police were informed also.

The woman says the dogs had been left in “disgusting and unsafe conditions” and are “thin and very distressed” and the house is a “horrific, rat-infested hovel”.

Photos provided to the Times show several dogs looking out of the home’s windows.

In one picture one of the dogs has its right front leg outside the window as if trying to escape.

Another photo that shows the inside of the house reveals a large amount of rubbish scattered around the floor of one room and two dogs visible, one of which appears to be thin.

She says a police officer phoned her on Wednesday night and said they had ordered Animal Management to collect the dogs.

“It’s mind-blowing but so bloody sad,” she says.

“To be told to call the police by Animal Management because they can’t do anything is ridiculous.

“They should have called the police and asked for their permission to enter.

“It’s really heartbreaking that the very agencies that are there to help animals basically do little in these situations.”

The woman says the police officer who responded to the situation was “amazing”.

The Times has contacted Animal Management, the SPCA and police for comment.

Public housing agency Kainga Ora has been contacted also to ask if it owns the property.

At 8.40pm last night police provided an update on the situation.

A spokesperson says that at 3.20pm on Wednesday, police received a report from a person concerned for the welfare of several dogs locked inside a Bucklands Beach Road address.

“Police attended and entered the property with Animal Management.

“Three animals were located in distressing and unsanitary conditions, without regular and proper access to food and water.

“No other animals were found during a search of the property.

“Initial enquiries suggest the occupants of the address moved out some time ago.

“Police will be making further enquiries to locate the owners of the dogs, which have been taken by Animal Management to receive proper care.”

This story will be updated as more information comes to hand.