PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — A 4-month-old puppy whose ears were cropped without anesthesia is on his way to a safe foster home after police secured a court custody order.
The bluenose pitbull puppy belonged to Joseph Davis, 41, of Presque Isle, who was charged last month with a felony count of aggravated cruelty to animals and a misdemeanor charge of practicing veterinary medicine without a license for allegedly cropping the dog’s ears using scissors without an anesthetic or sedation.
The charges were filed after Presque Isle animal control officer Dan Corey investigated complaints from a number of residents, some of whom said they saw Davis walking with the puppy dragging a chain attached to what turned out be a piece of pipe.
After the charges were filed against Davis, the dog remained at his home while the police sought the court order to gain custody.
“Aside from the obvious injuries to the puppy’s ears, it appeared to be in good health,” Presque Isle Police Chief Matt Irwin said in a news release. “My understanding is the Central Aroostook Humane Society has a well-qualified foster home.”
Unless the court order is successfully appealed, the dog will remain permanently removed from Davis, the police chief said Wednesday. Irwin was not certain when Davis would appear in court to answer to the charges.
