A farmworker accused of having sex with a miniature donkey wants his seized animal back in his hands.

Doodle, a 21-month-old donkey, was taken into custody by Marion County Animal Services, according to a report on Ocala.com.

"I want my donkey back. There's got to be due process here. I paid $500 for her," said Carlos R. Romero after his first appearance Tuesday morning in front of a judge.

Romero, 31, is charged with animal cruelty and is in protective custody to keep him away from Doodle, who appears to be in good health and may be put up for adoption, according to the report.

Farm owner Gerald Joseph James told investigators with the Marion County Sheriff's Office that he saw his farmhand having intimate contact with Doodle in August.

Romero told Ocala.com that he has always been attracted to animals, especially horses, because people have been known to "stab you in the back, give you diseases, lie to you" and are "promiscuous."