BY VINAYA SAKSENA

CENTRAL FALLS — A woman was arrested and several pit bulls seized from her apartment just days after the city passed a law banning that type of dog.

Police reported searching 161 Lincoln Ave. Wednesday at about 11:45 a.m. as part of a follow-up investigation into allegations of a third-floor tenant keeping pit bulls illegally. They reportedly arrested 18-year-old Yahaira Ramos of 161 Lincoln Ave., 2nd, on a charge of obstructing an officer in the execution of duty.
Animal Control Officer Joseph Bolvin reported that he could see an adult pit bull and six puppies in a window on the third floor of the residence upon arrival. He added that it appeared unlikely that anyone was living on the third floor, as it appeared littered with dog feces and trash.
Bolvin wrote that officers attempted to speak to the second floor resident, later identified as Ramos, but were unable to do so due to a language barrier, and so other officers were called in for translation. Meanwhile, another woman told the officers that the dogs belonged to her, and that she was only keeping them there until she found a more permanent place for them.
When asked if the dogs were registered and vaccinated, the woman reportedly told police that they were not, and when told of the city’s recently instated ordinance banning pit bulls, allegedly said that the dogs were not hers.
While waiting for the additional officers to arrive, those present reported hearing “very loud music” coming from the second floor. An officer began writing up a citation for the violation.
When the additional officers arrived, one of them, Officer Felipe Orsini, reported explaining to Ramos that the dogs would have to be seized due to the new ordinance. However, Ramos reportedly refused to cooperate, attempting to block officers’ access to a door.
“I escorted Ramos away from the doorway and opened the bedroom door,” Orsini wrote in his report. “At this time I could hear the sound of several dogs scratching the door, I opened the door and 4 pit-bull puppies came running out.”
Bolvin reported recognizing the puppies from the third floor window where he had seen them earlier, and took them into custody. The officers then reported moving on to the third floor, to which another resident had given them a key. There, they found two more puppies and an adult pit bull, in less than ideal living conditions.
“The apartment was in very poor condition,” Bolvin wrote. “There was no food or water left for any of the dogs, and it became apparent that the dogs have not left that residence in a good amount of time due to the amount of feces and urine that was in the apartment.”
Bolvin reported that he was then able to secure the adult pit bull on a snare pole, and brought the dog to the rear of his vehicle. He indicated that the dogs were sent to the Providence Animal Rescue League, where they would be kept for a mandatory period of seven days. He added that the dogs all “appeared to be in decent health.”
Bolvin reported that Ramos was issued four animal citations and was released with a municipal court date of June 3. She was also issued a tag for the noise violation, despite refusing to provide Orsini with the information he had requested to complete the citation, according to police.