By Tessa Roy, WPRO News
State Police announced Friday that Carlos Alves, 59, was arrested and charged with mistreatment of animals and unnecessary cruelty to animals after 24 dogs were seized from his Exeter home over the weekend. Alves turned himself in on Thursday night.
The seizing of the dogs occurred after the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RISPCA) received a tip from local animal control. RISPCA Operations Director Joe Warzcyha says aside from some matted fur and a minor injury, the dogs were in good condition.
“What was concerning is the shelter that they had, or lack thereof, the weather conditions at the time, the lack of a sanitary environment they were living in. Those things are also criminal violations,” he said.
Warzycha said the dogs being housed outside didn’t have proper shelter from the cold weather and that the water in their bowls had frozen. Among the dogs were five beagle puppies estimated to be about 6-7 weeks old along with their mother.
“You could see the shelter they were provided and it was just an empty wooden box,” Warzycha said.
It wasn’t just an unusual amount of dogs at the home. State Police say about 100 different animals were found on the property, including 40 ducks, chickens and roosters, 40 rabbits and 10 goats in “deplorable and inadequate living conditions for animals.”
Warzycha says Alves was very remorseful, surrendered all 24 dogs, and cried when he gave a statement to law enforcement. After his arraignment, Alves was released pending a future court date.
The beagle puppies are currently in foster care and will be up for adoption, along with the other dogs. Some are under the care of the RISPCA and the rest are with the Potter League for Animals.
