PORTLAND — The Oregon Humane Society has sent a team to rescue as many as 100 dogs living without shelter in cold weather on rural property in Eastern Oregon.

Officials said some of the dogs are living underground in holes covered with planks, while others are chained to farm equipment and have little or no shelter from the snow, wind and subfreezing temperatures.

The Humane Society said it was responding to a request from Harney County Sheriff David Glerup after three people were charged with animal neglect.

Deputies were called by county social workers who were investigating an unrelated complaint against the owners of the dogs by an 11-year-old child living on the property.