DANIELSON, Conn. -- A Massachusetts man accused of leaving his adopted greyhounds alongside the road faced a judge in Connecticut on Wednesday.

Greyhound Friends Inc. signed over the two retired greyhound racing dogs from Spain to Kevin Schneider, 54, of Watertown, Mass.

Channel 3 Eyewitness News reporter Kevin Hogan reported the group showed before and after pictures that depicted the dogs in poor condition.

Schneider stood silently before Danielson Superior Court Judge Stanley T. Fuger Jr. on Wednesday morning for his arraignment.

Connecticut authorities charged Schneider with one count of cruelty to animals. Schneider could also face charges in connection to another dog in his care that died in Rhode Island, Hogan reported.

A witness claimed Schneider pushed out of his vehicle an object that turned out to be an emaciated black and white greyhound weighing half its healthy weight. The dog survived the alleged incident.

"The accusation is that he starved the dogs and that he also abandoned them," said Louise Coleman, of Greyhound Friends Inc.

In court, a public defender requested a continuance for March 3 so Schneider's attorney from Massachusetts could represent him.

Authorities said a witness in the case saw someone push an animal out the side of a door of a large, black Chevrolet Suburban that was traced back to Schneider.

"When it was brought into the pound, it was micro-chipped. The microchip was traced back to Massachusetts," said Eva Longo, an animal control officer who investigated the case.

"His responsibility was to take good care of them, and if he couldn't keep them at any point, he should give them back to us," Coleman said. "He didn't do that."

Hogan reported animal rights groups gathered outside the courthouse to monitor the case.

"I'm here because I've been adopting greyhounds for 12 years now, they're the gentlest, easiest breed to handle," said Michael McCann, of Greyhound Friends Inc.

The judge ordered Schneider, who was released on bond, not to care for any animals whatsoever.