STURBRIDGE, Mass. (WPRI) — A Marlboro man is facing dozens of animal cruelty charges after nearly 100 dead animals were discovered last week at a Sturbridge property he was renting, according to authorities. Andrew Sebastiano was taken into custody Tuesday and charged with 96 counts of animal c ruelty and 96 counts of animal cruelty by custodian. SEE ALSO: MSPCA rehabilitating severely emaciated horse This comes after 96 dead animals, including chickens, geese, pigs, ducks and rabbits, were found at his rental property on March 19, according to police. Investigators believe Sebastiano left the property in February and never returned to care for the animals. "This is an extremely disturbing case of animal cruelty, none like I have seen in my career," Sturbridge Police Chief Earl Dessert said. "The sheer number of animals that suffered and perished is truly heartbreaking." Police said Sebastiano's pet dog was taken from him at the time of his arrest and is now being cared for by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA). "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," MSPCA Law Enforcement Director Chris Schindler said. The Sturbridge property on March 19. (Courtesy: MSPCA-Angell)Officers at the Sturbridge property on March 19. (Courtesy: MSPCA-Angell)The Sturbridge property on March 19. (Courtesy: MSPCA-Angell) Sebastiano was ordered held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing that has been scheduled for April 1. This is not the first time Sebastiano has faced animal cruelty charges. Schindler said he pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges four years ago and was sentenced to probation. "Our current legal framework for addressing animal cruelty in Massachusetts is long overdue for additional tools beyond the current statutes," Schindler said. "Not all offenses are or should be treated equally, but that's often what happens in our current system." State lawmakers are actively pushing for legislation that would ban those convicted of animal cruelty crimes from owning pets for at least five years — or longer if a court deems that reasonable. NEXT: Lawmaker looks to ban sale of certain pets in Mass. stores Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media:                     Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup SIGN UP NOW ...read more read less