(NECN: Quincy, Mass.) - Radoslaw Czerkawski is being held on $500,000 cash bail after being arraigned on Tuesday afternoon.
32-year-old Czerkawski, of Poland, has been charged with multiple counts, including 11 dealing with animal cruelty, in connection with the Puppy Doe abuse case.
Czerkawski pleaded not guilty in Quincy District Court to 11 counts of animal cruelty and one of misleading police.
Czerkawski was arrested last week in New Britain, Conn.
The young pit bull was found in Quincy, Mass. in September. She was badly injured, having been stabbed, beaten, starved and having her tongue sliced. She was put down because of her severe injuries.
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Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey, Quincy Police Chief Paul Keenan and Animal Rescue League President Mary Nee spoke at the news conference.
Investigators said the dog was listed for free on Craigslist and had several owners.
Officials say the second woman who owned the dog provided police with valuable information and helped identify the dog, which led to search warrants.
Authorities think Czerkawski had the dog for around four months and that the abuse happened over a matter of weeks.
Officials say the investigation will go on and the case continues.
Keenan says there is no known motive and that this is probably just the case of a "sick individual."
The case has prompted calls for tougher penalties in Massachusetts for animal abuse.
Czerkawski will be back in court November 21.
