SANTA CRUZ, Calif. -- Accused animal abuser Robert Brunette pleaded not guilty in Santa Cruz County Superior Court Monday to 10 animal cruelty and neglect charges.

Deputy District Attorney Heather Jones said two of the charges are felonies. Brunette is to be released under supervision and with conditions from the Santa Cruz County jail Tuesday. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 6. He was being held under $100,000 bail.

More than 40 abused or neglected dogs were found on Brunette's Boulder Creek property in the Santa Cruz Mountains on July 26. Brunette fled that day and was arrested near Los Gatos High School on Thursday, Jones said. Animal Services employees found the remains of dogs, including several sun-bleached skulls and a dog's severed head in a tree, Jones said.

Forty of Brunette's dogs are currently under the care of the Santa Cruz County Animal Services or veterinary care, Jones said.

Ten more dogs remain on the property and Brunette is prohibited from having any dogs while his case is pending and must turn them over to Animal Services, Jones said.