A Southmost man is behind bars after authorities found five malnourished pit bulls at his home.

Brownsville police arrested 27-year-old Ruben Salazar on tampering with evidence and five animal cruelty charges on Monday.

Police officers were called to a home at 3124 Southmost Road at 5:32 p.m. Monday.

Investigators told Action 4 News that police had received a call that several malnourished dogs were at the home.

Officers found two white pitbulls in a pen without food. The water in their bowl was green in color and had worms in it.

Two brown pitbulls were found malnourished.

A fifth pitbull was found alive inside a trashcan.

Investigators told Action 4News that Brownsville Animal Control officers told custody of all five dogs.

Salazar appeared before a Brownsville municipal judge on Monday morning where he received $22,000 dollars in bonds.