A Weston man made his first court appearance Monday in what police call the biggest animal cruelty case the state has ever seen.

Daniel Kopulos and his attorney declined to speak following the brief hearing at the Norwalk courthouse.

Police responded to Kopulos's home on Newtown Turnpike last month after someone reported an odor.

News 12 is told officials removed more than 220 malnourished animals, and dozens more were dead.

Newly released court documents revealed that racks and cages of snakes, birds and other reptiles were also found.

None of the animals had food or water and several cages contained live and dead animals together. The conditions were described as deplorable and completely uninhabitable, with piles of feces inside cages and on the floor.

Kopulos previously owned an exotic pet shop in New York City that closed down. He was profiled in The New York Times for his store and his work saving animals.

If convicted, Kopulos could face up to a year in prison, a fine or both.