WATERTOWN, Conn. — A Watertown animal hoarding investigation led to the seizure of 50 animals from a home Tuesday.

Watertown police charged the homeowner, Martin Oliver, 52, with 50 counts of cruelty to animals.

Police went to a home on Cobb Street at 7 a.m. for a search and seizure warrant related to the hoarding investigation.

Watertown Animal Control, assisted by multiple animal control units from surrounding towns, took seven adult dogs, 18 puppies and 25 cats/kittens from the home.

"So we did have a total of 50 animals and a relatively small residence in a populated, residential neighborhood," Watertown Police Chief Joshua Bernegger said.

The agencies that assisted in the removal and housing of the seized animals included Wolcott police, Southington police, Bristol police, Wood

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