By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
HOULTON — The state’s Animal Welfare Program, in conjunction with local and state police, seized animals from homes in Houlton and Monticello in the past few weeks.
A Houlton couple may be charged after a number of animals were taken from their North Street property Thursday by agents with the Animal Welfare Program, with the help of the Houlton Police Department.
According to Liam Hughes, director of animal welfare with Maine’s Division of Animal and Plant Health, agents removed nine dogs, a rabbit and two chickens from the North Street residence of Tony Pasquarelli and Barbara Capitan on Nov. 14 after executing a search warrant.
The animals were living in filthy conditions and in need of medical attention, Hughes said. The two individuals have surrendered ownership of all the animals to the Animal Welfare Program and charges are pending.
Heather Miller, executive director of the Houlton Humane Society, said several of the nine dogs were pregnant. Five of the dogs were sent to the Bangor Humane Society due to overcrowding at the Houlton shelter.
“The dogs are not good,” Miller said. “They were filthy, scared and you can’t even touch one of them without them peeing on themselves. The fleas were so bad that they were in their eyes.”
On Oct. 31, Monticello Animal Control Officer Barbara Thorne and District Humane Agent Chrissy Perry, with assistance from the Maine State Police, executed a search warrant at the residence of Matthew Thibodeau in Monticello.
“ACO Thorne and Agent Perry were investigating a complaint that animals had been abandoned at the location,” Hughes said.
Three adult dogs and nine puppies were seized.
“The animals were living in filthy conditions (and) were in need of necessary medical attention, and they were deprived of necessary sustenance,” Hughes said. “One puppy was deceased at the residence and one puppy and one adult dog later died at a veterinary clinic.”
Thibodeau has since surrendered ownership of the animals to the Animal Welfare Program and charges are pending.
Because of the two seizures, the shelter is in need of additional supplies to help with the influx of animals. Items such as food, puppy pads, flea medicine, dog shampoo, blankets, sheets, laundry and dish soaps or monetary donations are needed, Miller said.
Reports of animal cruelty can be made by calling the Animal Welfare Program at 287-3846.
