A local man has been arrested after three dead dogs were found in a U-Haul truck with a “terrible smell emanating from it,” police said.

William Cobb, 33, of Boston, was arrested in Weymouth on Friday in connection with the animal cruelty case out of Mattapan.

Boston police officers earlier this week were dispatched to the first block of Edgewater Drive in Mattapan.

“Upon arrival, officers located an abandoned U-Haul truck with a terrible smell emanating from it,” police said in a statement. “Officers opened the truck, and observed three deceased dogs. Animal Control was requested to respond to the scene for the removal of the dogs.”

Bugs were reportedly flying around the van, police said.

The dead dogs were “bloated,” likely because of the recent heat wave.

Members of the Boston Police Youth Violence Strike Force and the Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit arrested Cobb on Friday.

He was wanted on a straight warrant for three counts of animal cruelty issued out of Dorchester District Court.