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Court awards seized animals to State

March 7, 2008

Contact: Norma J. Worley, norma.j.worley@maine.gov
207-287-3846

AUGUSTA—Seventy-one animals seized in January by Maine’s Animal Welfare Program (AWP) were forfeited to the State Wednesday after a hearing in Wiscasset District Court.

The State stepped in to protect the animals following investigations of complaints of a breeding operation in Somerville, Maine, and evidence procured during the arrest of a woman in Massachusetts. On January 19, State agents and local authorities seized the animals from the home of Fern Clark of Somerville.

During the three-hour hearing before Judge Ralph Tucker, Christine Fraser, AWP veterinarian, testified that every dog and cat seized had major medical issues that could be traced to failure to provide necessary treatment.

The animals will be evaluated and placed for future adoption through local humane societies.

For more information, contact: Norma J. Worley, 207-287-3846, norma.j.worley@maine.gov.

The purpose of the Animal Welfare Program is to insure humane and proper treatment of animals by developing, implementing, and administering a comprehensive program that upholds the animal welfare laws of Maine through communication, education, and enforcement.