22-year-old man arrested after three dead dogs found in Warwick home

Warwick police officers went to the home early Monday afternoon to check on a report of an emaciated dog without food or water in the yard, police said in a news release. Animal control officers found a “severely emaciated dog with open wounds in the backyard,” police said.

When investigators heard and saw other dogs in the home and noticed a strong odor of feces, urine and decomposition coming from the house, they obtained a search warrant. Three dead dogs were found, police said. In addition, four “malnourished and emaciated dogs” were removed from the home and taken to Warwick Animal Shelter for treatment, police said.

A 22-year-old resident of the home was arrested and charged with three counts of unnecessary cruelty to animals resulting in death and four counts of unnecessary cruelty to animals due to failure to provide adequate living conditions, food and water, police said.