Boston man facing animal cruelty charges after dead dogs found in parked van

A Boston man is facing animal cruelty charges after three dogs were found dead in a parked moving van last week in Mattapan, police said.

William Cobb, 33, was arrested Friday on Mediterranean Drive in Weymouth, Boston police said, in connection with the incident. He pleaded not guilty to an animal cruelty charge in Dorchester District Court on Friday.

Police responded to Edgewater Drive Tuesday night where a parked U-Haul truck had “a terrible smell and bugs inside,” the police report said. Neighbors described the smell similar to a “dead body.”

“Upon arrival, officers located an abandoned U-Haul truck with a terrible smell emanating from it,” Boston police said in a statement. “Officers opened the truck, and observed three deceased dogs.”

Animal Control responded and found the three medium-sized dogs. The dogs were removed during an intense heat wave that affected the city almost all week. 

Cobb was committed to Suffolk County Jail after not posting bail.