A man faced a Sydney court today charged with having sexual relations with a rabbit and the sadistic killing of 17 other rabbits whose carcasses were found dumped in a lane in The Rocks.

Brendan Francis McMahon, 36, of Edward Street, North Sydney, appeared briefly before Central Local Court Magistrate Allan Moore today charged with having allegedly committed the offences over the past three weeks.

McMahon, a New Zealand born finance company director, sat quietly in the dock during the hearing at which he was represented by barrister Doug Marr.