The stench was overwhelming long before Hillsborough animal services investigators got to the apartment of 29-year-old Winston Tsai.
What they found when they went inside his upstairs unit at the Belemere Apartments in Citrus Park looked like a science experiment gone wrong, investigators said.
"There was wall-to-wall fecal matter and urine. Just an overwhelming odor," said Sgt. Pam Perry, who assisted with a search warrant on Tsai's home.
She said investigators found more than 20 dead snakes, lizards, and tarantulas in drawers, containers, garbage bags and even the refrigerator.
"It was frightening to know that this young man was living in this residence with these animals literally dying around him," Perry said.
She said they also found two seriously underweight wolf hybrids, with one young male weighing about half what he should.
Investigators said Tsai told them is a University of Florida forensic anthropology graduate but expressed little remorse for the situation at his apartment.
"I think he was surprised that he was being charged with a crime," Perry said.
David Legrand lives next door to Tsai. He said the smell made him suspect there was something dead in the apartment.
"I thought to call the authorities because he would open the door and for 10 seconds after the door was closed, this whole landing would just smell terrible," Legrand said.
Tsai was charged Tuesday with three felony counts of animal cruelty.
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