Miami Beach police arrested a man on one count of animal cruelty after officers found 19 dogs, including four puppies, inside a home near the 4300 block of Michigan Avenue, authorities said. Officers went to the home Oct. 27 to assist the Florida Department of Children and Families with a welfare check on an elderly woman, according to Local 10 News.

DOGS FOUND IN UNSANITARY CONDITIONS

Police said 15 adult dogs and four puppies were living in the home. The puppies, estimated to be about 4 weeks old, were inside an uncovered cooler contaminated with feces and urine, according to the arrest report. They appeared lethargic, had no access to food or water and could not climb out without help, Local 10 reported.

The arrest report described no electricity, portions of the floor that had caved in, and trash and animal waste throughout the house and yard. The report also noted a strong odor of urine and feces.

Detectives said Jorge Morillo, 50, had lived at the residence intermittently for about five years and was responsible for the dogs. Police said he acknowledged his role in caring for them during a recorded interview. Miami Beach Police Officer Chris Bess described the conditions as “heartbreaking” in an interview with CBS News Miami.

DOGS TAKEN FOR CARE; HOME ORDERED VACATED

Miami-Dade Animal Services removed all 19 dogs after the property owner signed a surrender document. The animals were taken to the county shelter for veterinary care and forensic examinations. The agency indicated it would issue citations related to neglect, according to the arrest report.

The Miami Beach Building Department deemed the home unsafe and issued an order to vacate. The elderly woman was taken to Mount Sinai Medical Center for evaluation, authorities said.

MORILLO DENIED LIVING AT THE HOME

Morillo was held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center with bond set at $1,000. CBS News Miami reported that after his release Wednesday night, Oct. 28, he denied living at the Michigan Avenue home. When shown a photo of the puppies in the cooler, he also denied the dogs were his. Morillo faces one count of animal cruelty; the charge is an allegation, not a finding of guilt.