LITTLETON, Maine — A section of U.S. Route 1, near the Littleton-Houlton town line was briefly shut down Thursday afternoon as the Houlton Police Department was called to help corral several loose horses.
The owner of the horse, Jessica York, was not at home at the time.
“We received a call that several horses were out near the road,” Houlton Police Chief Joe McKenna said. “Upon arrival we found nine horses out along the north/east shoulder of the road inside Littleton.”
A couple of police officers stayed on the scene, waiting for York to arrive before attempting to corral the animals. Upon York’s arrival, along with assistance from several others, the animals were rounded up and escorted back inside the gate.
“The roadway was blocked for about five minutes to ensure none of the horses darted out into traffic,” McKenna said. “No violation was issued because where they escaped from is in Littleton.”
Neither the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office, nor the Maine State Police were available to assist.
York’s “Dowry Farm” houses about 85 Caspian and Fjord horses that freely roam a 16-acre parcel of land that is secured by a fence. In January, one of York’s horses was killed when it got out of the fenced area and was struck by a car.
Her property has been the subject of intense online scrutiny for what some perceived as animal neglect. The farm has been the focus of an investigation by the state’s Department of Animal Welfare and to date, no charges have ever been filed against her for any wrongdoing.
