A Stamford man faces animal cruelty charges after police discovered more than 20 beagles in his home.

Animal control officers took one beagle-basset mix and 20 purebred beagles from the home on Windell Place. They say the dogs were hiding throughout the home, which was covered in feces.

The health department condemned the home and the dogs are being kept at the Stamford Animal Shelter and Fairfield Animal Control. A vet will check each of them out in the coming days.

Michael DeMarco, 63, was arrested and charged with 21 counts of animal cruelty. He is out on bond. The manager at Fairfield Animal Control says she talked to DeMarco and he agreed to come down and sign the dogs over so they can be placed in good homes.