BOXFORD — A local man, arraigned yesterday on 15 counts of animal cruelty, is forbidden from keeping any pets except for some tropical fish.
Frederick Delisio, 52, of 695 Main St. was arraigned in Haverhill District Court, where he pleaded not guilty to charges of withholding food and water from miniature ponies and domestic geese he owned.
"You'll see it's a big misconception," Delisio told Judge Stephen Abany.
Delisio was arrested Saturday after police and officers from the Animal Rescue League seized three miniature ponies and three geese from his barn — the floors of which court records described as covered inches deep in excrement.
Christopher Smalley, communications director for Animal Rescue League of Boston, said Delisio's animals are under veterinarian care at an undisclosed location. Steve O'Connell, spokesman for the Essex County District Attorney's Office, said the animals that were seized are all expected to survive.
After his arraignment yesterday, Delisio said he did not mistreat his three miniature ponies and that they'd recently been checked by a veterinarian.
"These are show horses, and although I don't show them, I enjoy them as pets," Delisio said.
Saturday was the sixth time the Boxford police had been called to assist other agencies with animal-related issues and investigations at Delisio's residence, Boxford police Lt. Bob Hazelwood said.
According to court documents, Boxford animal officer Allison Hayes had previously contacted the Animal Rescue League after conducting a mandatory inspection on Jan. 3 of Delisio's barn — where she noted three miniature horses living "without adequate food and water."
Boxford police Chief Gordon Russell said the animal officer was conducting a yearly inspection of barns when she found the ponies underweight and not in good health.
Perhaps two or three weeks ago, Animal Rescue League officers were ready to sweep in and do another inspection and possibly seize the animals, Russell said, but a letter from Delisio's private veterinarian deterred them. Russell said he didn't know what changed between (that date) and Saturday to make the state seize the animals.
The Animal Rescue League obtained a search warrant and on Saturday they visited Delisio's residence.
Hazelwood said authorities could see Delisio through the window of his home, but he wouldn't answer the door.
Court records show that during a search of Delisio's barn, the officers encountered "extremely unsanitary" conditions with a deep layer of waste and an "overpowering and offensive odor."
The barn's wooden floor was covered in several inches of fecal matter, and the ponies appeared "very dirty" with fecal matter on their legs, sides and necks. The geese had food, but no water was present, according to court records.
Russell said Boxford police officer Joseph Borodawka reported that Delisio wouldn't come out of the house. The officer looked around when the house alarm went off: "As I was watching the house, I observed Mr. Delisio jump from the first-floor window on the south side of the house."
At yesterday's arraignment, Abany denied Delisio's request for a court-appointed attorney. Court officials said Delisio's personal assets made him ineligible for taxpayer-funded representation. At the time of his police booking, Delisio's personal property included $40 cash, a Nokia cell phone and a $35,000 Rolex watch.
Abany ordered Delisio released on personal recognizance and ordered that he not be allowed to have any animals in his custody, with the exception of some tropical fish.
He was ordered to appear in court March 21.
