NEW BEDFORD — Police seized 21 dogs and various narcotics from a residence Monday during an animal cruelty investigation.
Animal control officers, patrol officers and detectives discovered 12 Cane Corsos in cages in an attic exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit at 184 Myrtle St., officials said.
Nine French Bulldog mixes were found in a third-floor apartment, some loose and some caged.
The dogs lacked adequate food and water, and some had overgrown nails impeding their ability to walk, according to authorities.
Derrick Ambrose, 35, fled the scene when officers arrived.
Police said they found over 9 grams of fentanyl, over 25 grams of crack cocaine, Adderall, Oxycodone, mushrooms, and marijuana in the apartment, along with drug packaging materials.
Authorities are seeking a warrant for Ambrose on 39 counts of animal cruelty and multiple drug charges.
He has 67 prior adult arraignments and convictions, including firearms offenses and drug dealing.
At the time of this incident, Ambrose had three open cases in Falmouth District Court and nine in New Bedford District Court.
Police request anyone with information on Ambrose’s whereabouts to contact them anonymously through their website or by calling 508-991-6300.
