Ten dogs removed from Salisbury property, one arrested

A Salisbury man is facing animal cruelty charges after ten malnourished dogs were removed from his property.

The Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office says on Friday around 11:15 AM, Deputies took 55-year-old Hunter Ward into custody at his Ward Road home. The arrest stemmed from an incident the day before, where Wicomico Animal Control responded to the home and removed three underweight, dehydrated and malnourished dogs from his yard.

According to the report, the dogs were emaciated and flea infested, and were having trouble standing. While on scene, Deputies and Animal Control thought that there were more dogs inside of the property, but Officers weren’t allowed inside.

The next day, Authorities returned, with a search warrant, and seized an additional seven dogs from the residence.

Ward was taken into custody on several animal cruelty charges including animal cruelty: deprive of necessary sustenance and animal cruelty: failure to provide food and proper drink. He was later released on a $20,000 unsecured bond, following his initial appearance in front of the District Court Commissioner.