New Bedford Couple Faces Animal Cruelty Charges

A New Bedford couple was arrested Wednesday after authorities found 46 animals, both living and dead, in their home.

Detective Captain Steven Vicente says police received a call from one of the suspects, identified as 23-year-old Sabrina Harding, that she wanted Animal Control Officers removed from her home, located at 596 South Second St.

The officer arrived at the residence and was met by Emanuel Maciel, the Director of New Bedford Animal Control and Cheryl Jackson, also from New Bedford Animal Control.

Vicente says there were hundreds of flies in the hallway and there was a heavy odor caused by the decaying bodies of the animals.

A room in the apartment was blocked off by a bureau and a box spring mattress.

Officers removed the obstacles and entered the room where they found the animals, 23 of which were dead.

The list of animals include lizards, cats, birds, and rabbits, with some in cages and others not.

The suspect's boyfriend, identified as 23-year-old Jake Brousseau, was also arrested and both parties were scheduled to be arraigned in morning in New Bedford District Court on animal cruelty charges.

Maciel says it appears the couple got the animals for free from animal auction and sites like Craigslist and then sell them.

It's believed they operated throughout the region and Maciel says Wednesday's arrest demonstrates how careful people need to be when they give pets away or try to buy a pet for their home.

This investigation is still active and being handled by the Animal Control Officers.

A full interview with Emanuel Maciel can be found here.