MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A man was arrested Tuesday after police said they found multiple dogs covered in sores at his home in northwest Miami-Dade.
Miami-Dade police said they were patrolling the area of Northwest 102nd Street and Northwest 17th Avenue around 4 p.m. when they smelled a foul odor coming from a nearby residence as if something were dead.
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While on the sidewalk parallel to Northwest 17th Avenue, police said they looked through a hole in a fence and spotted several dogs locked in multiple kennels outside a home near the 1500 block of 102nd Street without food or water, according to an arrest report.
Police said the dogs inside those kennels appeared to have sores and were showing signs of malnutrition.
A specialist with Miami-Dade Animal Control was called to the residence and spoke with the owner of the home, who police identified as 26-year-old Richard Earl Gainous.
Police said they were able to determine that one female dog, approximately 7 years old, was a victim of animal cruelty and was close to dying if she didn’t receive immediate care, the report stated.
Investigators also confirmed that a male dog who was living at Gainous’s home was showing signs of malnutrition.
Police said Gainous allowed them to enter his residence to check on additional dogs that were being kept inside.
Gainous was unable to provide proper documentation of the dogs at his home or show a history of veterinary visits, according to his arrest report.
Police said Miami-Dade County Animal Services confiscated 13 dogs at the property.
After being placed into custody, Gainous agreed to speak with detectives without having an attorney present, police said.
Gainous’ arrest report doesn’t state if he admitted to the charges, but investigators confirmed that he was taken to jail and his bond amount has yet to be determined.
According to jail records, he is facing one count of animal cruelty with intent to injure or kill and a separate charge of animal cruelty.