PROVIDENCE — A 911 hang-up call on Tuesday prompted police to respond to a Warwick, R.I., home, where the caller allegedly assaulted two officers, and where authorities found several animals, including a dead dog and a dead parrot, in “deplorable” living conditions, authorities said Thursday.
Police went to 200 Negansett Ave. after receiving the call and encountered Michael Gast Jr., 30, “who appeared to be under the influence of narcotics,” officials said in a statement.
“During the interaction, Gast became combative and assaulted two Warwick Police officers,” police said. “He was subdued and transported by Warwick Fire Department personnel to Kent County Memorial Hospital for evaluation.”
Officers also conducted a sweep of the home and found the interior “in deplorable condition,” police said.
“Officers discovered one deceased dog and one deceased parrot inside the home,” authorities said. “Warwick Animal Control was called to the scene and removed two additional dogs, a cat, and two parrots from the residence.”
Police later determined Gast was the 911 caller who had hung-up, but authorities said it was not exactly clear why he made the call.
Gast was charged with five counts of unnecessary cruelty to animals; two counts of simple assault; and one count each of unnecessary cruelty to animals (death resulting), malicious killing of animals, and resisting arrest, according to police.
Gast was held overnight at the Warwick Police Department, officials said.
Police did not immediately return requests for additional information about the condition of the two officers who were allegedly assaulted and about how Gast was subdued.
Court records show he was arraigned on Wednesday and no plea was entered. Gast’s case was referred to the public defender, and he had no attorney listed as of Thursday afternoon.
Gast was previously convicted in October and May last year after he pleaded nolo contendere to charges of simple assault and/or battery and of domestic violence — vandalism, respectively, records show.
A plea of nolo contendere means the defendant neither accepts nor denies responsibility for the charges, but agrees to accept punishment.
In both cases, Gast was ordered to undergo a mental health program, among other conditions, according to the court records.
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