STURBRIDGE ― A Marlborough man is facing charges after 96 dead animals – including chickens, geese, pigs, ducks, and rabbits – were discovered at a property he was renting in Sturbridge, according to police and the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Andrew Sebastiano appeared in Dudley District Court on Wednesday and was ordered held without bail pending a dangerous hearing on Tuesday, according to a joint press release. He faces 96 charges of animal cruelty, subsequent offense, and 96 charges of animal cruelty by custodian, subsequent offense, the release said.
The release said the dead animals were discovered March 19, weeks after Sebastiano had left the property.
“This is an extremely disturbing case of animal cruelty, none like I have seen in my career,” Police Chief Earl Dessert said. “The sheer number of animals that suffered and perished is truly heartbreaking. We are grateful for our strong partnership with MSPCA Law Enforcement, whose expertise was invaluable in this investigation. I also commend my officers who worked tirelessly on this investigation from the onset to make sure the individual involved was arrested and brought to justice.”
“We’re grateful to Sturbridge Police for collaborating with us on this and helping find the suspect,” said Chris Schindler, the MSPCA law enforcement director. “This was a devastating scene, and we wish that we had been able to intercede in the weeks before these animals perished, but, unfortunately, the call came too late.”
Sebastiano was arrested Tuesday. Police seized one adult dog during the release; the dog is in the care of the MSPCA.
According to the release, Sebastiano previously pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges in 2021, and was sentenced to probation.
