DOVER-FOXCROFT – A man accused of animal abuse who allegedly violated his release conditions eight times asked a judge Tuesday to change his bail conditions so he could attend a church and go to the library.

Justice Jeffrey Hjelm turned down the requests by Mark Hagelin, 45, of Dover-Foxcroft.

Hagelin has been under house arrest pending his trial on alleged cruelty to animals.

He sought the change through his court-appointed attorney, Randy Day of Garland, in Piscataquis County Superior Court.

“It would just create problems for the whole community,” said District Attorney R. Christopher Almy, who argued against the motion. “I think it’s just a formula for problems.”

Hagelin was charged after authorities seized 92 spaniel-type dogs in April 2005 from a house he shared with his mother and father and from a kennel the family operated on the property. Authorities said the animals had little food or water.

Hagelin’s father also was charged in the case, but the charge was dropped after he died.

Hagelin told Hjelm on Tuesday he was living under house arrest in a home that has had no heat downstairs since November. Hagelin also said he had not received a speedy trial on the two oldest counts against him, so he sought to have the counts of cruelty to animals and a count of violating condition of release dropped, a motion also denied by Hjelm.

It is expected that separate trials will be held on each of the 11 counts pending against Hagelin as requested by Day.

Hagelin has been charged with one count each of cruelty to animals, refusing to sign uniform summons complaint and criminal mischief and eight counts of violating condition of release.

The trial on the charge of cruelty to animals will begin on Feb. 23.

Leaning on a cane because of a back injury, Hagelin also asked to reserve the right to act as co-counsel for his case and be allowed to interrogate witnesses. Hjelm noted that only one person could question witnesses, either Hagelin himself or his attorney.

The fact that he would be restricted during his trials prompted an outburst from Hagelin. He threatened to fire Day, a threat he has carried forward with at least three other attorneys since April.