WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) – A Pawtucket city employee has been charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty following a disturbing discovery at a Warwick residence.
Jeffrey Almeida, 54, turned himself in to Warwick Police on Monday and is now facing six misdemeanor counts of unnecessary cruelty to animals. The charges come after an investigation into a home on Negansett Avenue where Almeida previously lived.
Warwick Police Capt. Matt Higgins said officers were initially called to the home in May after receiving a 911 hang-up call. When they arrived, they encountered 30-year-old Michael Gast Jr., who was combative and appeared to be under the influence of drugs. He was eventually subdued and transported to Kent Hospital for evaluation.
Upon searching the residence, officers found the home in extremely poor condition. Inside, they discovered a dead dog and parrot, along with several living animals — two dogs, two parrots, and a cat — which were removed by Warwick Animal Control.
Gast now faces multiple charges, including five counts of unnecessary cruelty to animals, malicious killing of animals, and resisting arrest.
While police confirmed Almeida still owns the home, they did not clarify the nature of his relationship with Gast. Almeida has been released pending his arraignment scheduled for July 10.
Pawtucket spokesperson Chris Hunter confirmed that Almeida is employed as a human resources coordinator and said the city is aware of the serious allegations. An internal investigation is currently underway.
