A Gaithersburg man is facing firearms and animal cruelty charges after 15 neglected pit bulls were found at his home.

Montgomery County police said animal services officers found 14 dogs deprived of adequate shelter and water and one dog with open wounds during a routine inspection at 45-year-old Charles Copeland Jr.'s residence on the 8100 block of Brink Road.

Copeland was ordered to make improvements, police said, but he hadn't done so when officers returned for a follow-up check on Dec. 13. Copeland received a civil citation for failing to provide water and shelter and for improperly tethering the dogs.

When officers executed a search warrant at his home two days later, they found two shotguns and marijuana, police said. Copeland is prohibitied from owning firearms due to a previous felony conviction, police said. He was charged for the firearms offenses in December and was released on $25,000 bond. A housemate, 23-year-old Robert Palmer, was charged with marijuana possession.

On Tuesday, a warrant was issued for Copeland charging him with 12 counts of failing to provide dogs with proper water, 12 counts of failing to provide dogs with proper shelter and one count of failing to provide veterinary care. Police said arrangements are being made for Copeland to turn himself in.