About 100 starving sled dogs have been seized from a racing business in Colorado.

Colorado's state veterinarian says an anonymous tip led authorities to Pawsatrack Racing Sled Dogs in the Park County town of Hartsel, about 70 miles southwest of Denver. The facility is owned by Sam and Diane Walker of Florissant.

Authorities say they found six dead husky-type dogs and seized 30 starving dogs immediately. On Thursday, animal protection authorities took the remaining 70 dogs and placed them in shelters around Colorado.

“Some are a little thin, but aside from that, no major concerns noted at this point," said Dr. Jeff Fankhauer, a veterinarian with the Denver Dumb Friends League.”

Court papers obtained by 11 News show Sam Walker received a state kennel license in 1998. Walker was found guilty of animal cruelty and violating animal ordinances in Teller County in 2003.

At that time, the Walkers kenneled more than 100 dogs at their home in Florissant.

The same year, they were ordered to reduce their number of dogs to 30, and agreed to remove them from their Teller county property.

Dr. Keith Roehr, the state vet, says the dogs were all crossbreeds of Alaskan descent used in sled racing.

Park County sheriff's officials were investigating the dogs' owners for possible animal neglect charges, but as of Thursday afternoon no one had been charged.

The dogs are now receiving medical care in state shelters, and may soon be available for a new owner.

"It could take a few weeks to a few months until some of the dogs are ready to be placed for adoption," said Michelle Ray, a Denver Dumb Friends League spokesperson.

Here is the official release from the Park County Sheriff's Office:

On Tuesday, December 15th, 2009 at approximately 1:45pm Sergeant Bobbi Priestly of Park County Animal Control received a call from the United States Humane Society.

Sergeant Priestly was informed by the United States Humane Society that they had received an anonymous tip that a sled dog facility located near Hartsel, CO, had dogs that were dead and dying from apparent neglect and starvation.

Park County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control responded to 6000 Forest Service Road 108 where they discovered approximately 100 dogs in severely neglected and starving conditions.

During the early morning hours on Wednesday, December the 16th, 2009 Park County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Officers executed search warrants at the sled dog facility. Over 100 animals were found in extremely poor physical condition.

Dr. Kate Anderson with the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Animal Protection scored the animals on the Hennekee Body Score System and determined several of the animals scored 1 or less on a scale of 1 to 9. Animal Control Officers and volunteers removed 30 dogs that were rated in the poorest condition and transported the animals to facilities in Colorado Springs, Buena Vista, Salida and Park County.

On December the 17th, 2009 Park County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Officers removed the remaining 70 animals and will be placing them in approved facilities throughout the state. Rescue operations are ongoing at this time.

Sam and Diane Walker who reside in Florissant, CO, and whom operated the sled dog facility, could be facing multiple counts of animal cruelty and neglect.

Anyone wishing to help can contact The Park County Animal Rescue at PO Box 604, Fairplay, CO 80440.