Staff from the U.S. Humane Society is assisting local welfare agencies this week in caring for the dogs involved in the state’s largest animal seizure.
Since the Aug. 21 seizure of the J’aime Kennel, 35 Paucek Road in Buxton, several of more than 200 animals have been removed for medical treatment, and all could soon be removed from the site.
“The Department of Animal Welfare continues to search for an alternative building so they can be given a higher level of care,” said Carol Ann MacKinnon, program coordinator of the Animal Welfare Society in Kennebunk.
The state is testing and treating animals for Sarcoptic Mange in addition to Giardia after the state said a puppy sold by the kennel had been diagnosed with the disease. Buxton police, which executed the search warrant, issued summonses to John and Heidi Frasca, owners of the kennel, on the day of the raid.
They received 14 summonses for an unlicensed kennel, two for animal cruelty and one for failing to provide necessary medical treatment to animals. The Frascas have denied all charges.
According to court documents obtained in Biddeford District Court last week, the Frascas face a court date at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 26, to defend why their animals shouldn’t be permanently seized. Last week, the Frascas said the state hadn’t returned seized documents they need for a defense.
The couple was searching Friday for an attorney. “We’ve got people offering to do pro bono stuff,” Heida Frasca said. “We’re going to sue the pants off them.”
The Frascas filed a document on Aug. 29 demanding that Judge Marilyn Stavros, who authorized the search warrant, be recused from the case. The Frascas have claimed the warrant was invalid. John Frasca said Friday he called the FBI reporting death threats they have received.
“I fear for my family’s lives,” Frasca said. “The more we ratchet this up the scarier it’s going to get.”
Meanwhile, the Animal Welfare Society of Kennebunk has 50 of the dogs and the Animal Refuge League in Westbrook has 16 animals. The two agencies are seeking donations to help feed the animals, and the public is responding.
Andrew Ferreira, executive director of the Animal Refuge League, said Tuesday it had received a donation from Planet Dog, a retail pet supplier, to help care for the animals. Ferreira said the agency is splitting the $5,000 donation with the Animal Welfare Society in Kennebunk. That brings Westbrook’s total so far to some $4,400
Ferreira said money is still needed to buy wood shavings for bedding and to buy dog food. He said some people were taking bags of dried food to the shelter. He also said towels are needed as beds for dogs.
MacKinnon said the Salvation Army has been at the scene since the first day, serving food and beverages to animal welfare workers. “They are a huge help to us at the Buxton site,” MacKinnon said.
Members of animal welfare groups described the kennel last week as filthy and overcrowded, but a tenant, who has lived in a mobile home on the site for six months, said the kennel was clean and animals well fed.
Afiri said she and her three children had often visited the kennel. Afiri had planned to acquire one of the dogs as a pet for her children.
“I think its being blown out of proportion,” Susan Afiri said this week. “I’m disgusted by the state’s action.”
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