Police: Nearly 100 dead animals found at property in Sturbridge

A Marlborough man, Andrew Sebastiano, is facing serious charges after authorities discovered 96 dead animals—including chickens, geese, pigs, ducks, and rabbits—at a rental property in Sturbridge. This discovery led to his arrest and subsequent appearance in Dudley District Court, where he was ordered held without bail. Sebastiano now faces a total of 192 charges related to animal cruelty.

Sturbridge Police Chief Earl Dessert expressed deep concern over the case, calling it "extremely disturbing" and highlighting the heartbreaking toll on the numerous animals involved. He praised the collaboration with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) and the efforts of his officers, which were crucial in bringing Sebastiano to justice.

Chris Schindler, the MSPCA law enforcement director, echoed these sentiments, describing the scene as devastating. He noted the unfortunate timing of the intervention, wishing they could have acted sooner to prevent the loss of life among the animals. The MSPCA is currently caring for one adult dog that was seized during the investigation.

Sebastiano has a prior history of animal cruelty, having pleaded guilty to similar charges in 2021. He was sentenced to probation at that time, raising questions about his ability to responsibly care for animals since then.

This incident has drawn attention to ongoing issues of animal welfare and the importance of timely intervention in cases of neglect and abuse. The collaboration between local police and animal welfare organizations aims to address these critical concerns.