A Massachusetts landlord has been ordered to hire a pest control company to treat a New Bedford building where officials found dozens of dead and malnourished animals
According to the Standard Times, Ron Oliveira, who owns the 596 South Second St. building, owns roughly 80 percent of the rental properties in the city.
A woman and her boyfriend were arrested earlier this month after authorities found 23 animals dead and another 23 that were sick and malnourished in their apartment
Police say they found the animals while responding to a complaint about a foul odor. The animals included including cats, dogs, lizards, rabbits, birds and chinchillas.
New Bedford officials say they believe the animals had been dead for more than a week, and there was little food and no signs of water.
Police charged 23-year-old Sabrina Harding and 24-year-old Jake Brousseau with animal cruelty. Both were arraigned and ordered held without bail.
The Standard Times reports a notice has been sent to Oliveira and that he has 24 hours to acknowledge a contract with a pest control firm.