WESTPORT - The man behind a tenant farm in Westport where over a thousand animals were found living in deplorable conditions has died.

The Herald News reports that Richard Medeiros, 83, of Westport, has passed away, and confirmed the news with his attorney's office.

Medeiros was the owner of a tenant farm in Westport, where, in 2016, about 1,400 animals were found living without proper shelter, food, and water. Many animals were already dead, and many more had to be euthanized.

Medeiros had been indicted on 21 counts of animal cruelty. His pending case in Bristol County Superior Court will now likely be dismissed.

However, Medeiros' 26 tenants, all of whom have been arraigned and have pleaded not guilty, still have pending cases in Superior Court.

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