The mutilated bodies of the 18 animals were discovered in an office and a nearby laneway in central Sydney over the past month. Police staked out the office block and arrested Mr McMahon yesterday at a vacant space next to his workplace. Dressed in an army-style jacket, Mr McMahon remained subdued during his brief appearance at Sydney’s Central Local Court yesterday.

A FINANCE company director appeared in a Sydney court yesterday charged with bestiality and animal cruelty after 17 dead rabbits and a dead guinea pig were found in and around his inner-city office.

New Zealand-born Brendan Francis McMahon, 36, listed as a director of Meares McMahon Capital and Transpacific Securities, did not apply for bail.

The mutilated bodies of the 18 animals were discovered in an office and a nearby laneway in central Sydney over the past month. Police staked out the office block and arrested Mr McMahon yesterday at a vacant space next to his workplace. Dressed in an army-style jacket, Mr McMahon remained subdued during his brief appearance at Sydney’s Central Local Court yesterday.

The bestiality on a rabbit is alleged to have occurred on August 1. The 18 counts of aggravated animal cruelty are alleged to have been committed between July 20 and August 11. Mr McMahon was also charged with possession of cannabis.

The police executed search warrants on the office building and a home in the beachside suburb of Tamarama.

Police allege the rabbits were bought from a number of pet shops around the city.

Mr McMahon is expected to appear in court again on Friday.