A judge Wednesday ordered a warrant for the arrest of John Frasca of Buxton after he was a no-show at an arraignment hearing.
Judge Wayne Douglas read Frasca’s name, the first on the docket at Biddeford District court, shortly after 1 p.m. Wednesday. But Frasca didn’t appear.
J’aime Kennel, owned by John and Heidi Frasca, 35 Paucek Road, was raided on Aug. 21 by Buxton police and state animal welfare workers. In charges stemming from the raid, Frasca faced arraignment on 25 counts of cruelty to animals, according to a court clerk.
“I’m very surprised” that he did not appear, said Norma Worley, director of Maine’s Animal Welfare program, who was in the courtroom along with a state veterinarian, Christine Fraser.
“They intentionally seem to be avoiding the situation,” Fraser said.
The Frascas couldn’t be reached by telephone Wednesday for comment.
Meanwhile, in other legal developments, the dogs and puppies seized by the state could soon be available for adoption.
“We’re waiting for direction from the court,” said Worley.
A judge at Biddeford District Court in September awarded permanent custody of 249 dogs and puppies to the state. But the Frascas appealed the decision. They failed, however, to post $867,740 security by a deadline last Friday to make the appeal go forward.
A clerk at the court said Tuesday the state filed a motion to dismiss the appeal, but it hadn’t been acted on.
Once the appeal is officially dismissed, the state would launch the adoption process.
“We will start spaying and neutering and allow shelters to start adopting them out,” Worley said.
Fraser said Wednesday that several veterinarians had offered to donate their services.
Some of the dogs are housed at the Animal Refuge League in Westbrook and at the Animal Welfare Society in Kennebunk. A majority of the dogs are now in temporary quarters rented by the state at Happy Tails on Bishop Street, Portland.
On Friday morning, three cars parked outside Happy Tails – including Worley’s – were vandalized. The other two cars belonged to shelter workers, Worley said.
“Someone smashed windows of three cars and stole purses,” said Worley. A window was broken on her car, parked in front of the building, and $60 was taken.
Lt. Tony Ward of Portland Police Department said no one has been apprehended and there are no suspects in the incidents.
The Frascas filed a $900 million suit in U.S. District Court Oct. 31. Naming a long list of Buxton and state officials and animal welfare workers, the Frascas claim the seizure of their dogs violated their constitutional rights. They also asked for the return of all property confiscated from them and punitive damages to be determined in a trial.
John Frasca, middle, and his wife Heidi confronted Buxton Officer Mike Grovo after a raid on there kennel led to the seizure of 250 animals. Send questions/comments to the editors.
