A seemingly innocent Craigslist ad — seeking anyone with a “restless dog or horse” that needs to be “occupied” for a little while — helped lead authorities to a Michigan State University health physicist charged with bestiality, according to court records.

The post was read aloud during a private hearing on Monday to determine whether charges would be filed against 51-year-old Joseph Alan Hattey, who is accused of having sex with a basset hound.

A transcript was later obtained by the Lansing State Journal.

“Anyone have a restless dog or horse that needs occupied for a while?,” the ad said, according to Ingham County Sheriff’s Detective Ryan Cramer, who testified during Monday’s hearing.

“I love playing with them,” the user said. “Preferably not fixed but either is fine, male animals preferred.”

An Ingham County Animal Control officer got a tip about the post and eventually learned that it was written by a person who allegedly met up with Hattey.

The individual — identified in court records as a “confidential informant” — told investigators that Hattey responded to the ad in January and invited him to his home in Holt. There, he watched on as the once-respected physicist allegedly had sex with his basset hound, dubbed Flash.

In his arrest warrant, police said Hattey penetrated the poor pooch with both his penis and his hands. He was arraigned Monday on two counts of sodomy for committing a crime against nature (bestiality) and is expected to be back in court on June 14 for a pre-exam conference.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled the following week to determine whether there’s enough evidence for Hattey to stand trial.