Man charged with sexually abusing his pet dog

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“The medical examination did corroborate the allegations and support the charges,” said Assistant District Attorney Jed Painter after Marsicano’s arraignment at Long Beach City Court. Painter would not comment on any forensic evidence.

Marsicano was charged with one count of second-degree burglary — a Class C felony — in addition to one count of sexual misconduct and one count of attempted sexual misconduct, both misdemeanors. He faces up to 15 years in jail if convicted of the burglary charge and one year in jail for the misdemeanor charges.

Marsicano's bail was set at $20,000 bond or $10,000 cash. The case is still under investigation by the Animal Cruelty Unit who are working with Long Beach police, Rice said, and additional charges could be added. Marsicano is due back in Nassau County court on October 27.

As Marsicano was led out of city court, he told reporters that the charges against him were false, that his tenants had failed to pay the rent and that the forensic evidence was fabricated.

“It’s unimaginable to think that anyone could carry out such unspeakable acts of cruelty and violence on a defenseless animal,” Rice said in a statement.

Miller said that since April, when he first moved into the home, Marsicano had neglected and abused the animal -- Miller claimed that the dog was malnourished and often kept on a short rope tied to a tree in the backyard. He said he witnessed Marsicano having sex with the dog on Oct. 12, but that when he told his landlord that he was going to report the abuse, Marsicano threatened him and his roommate with force on several occasions.

“This was the last straw – it’s been going on for so long,” Miller said. “That is one of the worst possible things someone can do. He’s a monster.”

Marsicano’s attorney, Leslie Shamis, declined to comment following the arraignment.

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