
(WJAR) — New Bedford police said they are searching for a man after 21 dogs and drugs were seized from a home on Monday.
According to police, they, along with animal control officers, responded to 184 Myrtle St. for an animal cruelty investigation.
Officials said they were struck by a pungent odor of urine and feces when they entered the apartment.
New Bedford police said 12 cane corso dogs were found in the attic where it was over 100 degrees. Nine French bulldog mixes were found in the third-floor apartment.
According to officials, the dogs did not have adequate access to food or water, conditions in the cages were unsanitary and some dogs had overgrown nails.
The resident of home, 35-year-old Derrick Ambrose, fled when animal control officers arrived at the scene, police said.
New Bedford police said various types of drugs were found in his apartment upon further investigation. Officials said Ambrose had vacuum sealers, packaging materials and digital scales that would have been used in the processing and packaging of illegal drugs for street-level sale.
Police have requested a warrant for 39 counts of animal cruelty and multiple drug charges, according to officials.
Ambrose is described to have an “extensive criminal history.”
New Bedford police ask anyone with information about Ambrose whereabouts to contact police at 508-992-7463 or by submitting an anonymous tip at the department’s website.
The 21 dogs are in the care of Forever Paws animal shelter in Fall River.
Director of Forever Paws Arianna Silva said that it seemed like the dogs had been neglected and were covered in feces, and needed to be examined by veterinarians. She also said that some of them even appear to be pregnant.
This has caused the shelter to become overcrowded, and Forever Paws is currently asking the community for help in donations.
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