BOSTON -- A North Adams man was arrested Friday and accused of mutilating and killing several pet rabbits.

Wayne Brackett, 23, faces five counts of animal cruelty, five counts of malicious killing of an animal, one count of breaking and entering at night and one count of malicious destruction of property, according to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

"The savagery repeatedly inflicted upon the helpless rabbits exceeds any brutality I’ve seen in quite a while," said Peter Gollub, director of the MSPCA’s Law Enforcement Department.

The mutilated bodies of the rabbits were found on Tuesday at Berkshire County Construction, a North Adams business operated by the young pet owners’ family amid signs of a break-in.

"These animals posed no threat to the suspect, and in fact, some rabbits even curiously approached him. How anyone could systematically and completely ignore the suffering of these unsuspecting creatures dumbfounds me as much as it angers me," said Gollub.

Brackett was allegedly captured on surveillance tape savaging the pet bunnies, according to North Adams police.

Police said the video shows Brackett trying to break into a pickup truck on the property of the construction company. Unable to open the door of the truck, police said he headed toward the rabbit coop and killed five rabbits that belonged to the company owner's 6-year-old daughter.

"We believe at this time there may have been alcohol or other substances involved on the night of this event," Police Director Michael Cozzaglio said.

The bodies of the rabbits, including a baby bunny and a severely mutilated rabbit left hanging by a chain after its ears and tail had been cut off, were found strewn about the property.

Northeastern University criminologist James Fox said the crime was extremely troubling.

"Those who are violent with animals are more likely to be violent with human beings," said Fox. "This is someone who did this just because the animals were there. It was done just for the sheer pleasure and sport."

A woman who answered at a telephone listing for Brackett's family declined comment.