Puppy mill - 61 dogs, 20 cats seized
Somerville, ME (US)Incident Date: Monday, Apr 18, 1994
County: Lincoln
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Acquitted
Person of Interest: Fern Clark
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
In April 1994, Clark, then 64-years-old, was arrested and transported to jail in Wiscasset after officials seized 61 dogs and puppies and 20 cats and kittens at her home. She was charged with cruelty to animals but cleared of the charge in November. She was, however, convicted of assault charges for throwing a cordless phone at state Humane Agent Loraine Nickerson.
In November of 1994, the state, minding Clark's animals, returned 90 dogs and 20 cats to her.
Case UpdatesThe state was granted legal custody of 71 animals - 66 canines, four felines and a cockatiel - by the Wiscasset District Court, Animal Welfare Program Director Norma Worley announced today.
The animals were seized from the Somerville home of Fern Clark Jan. 19 after the state investigated allegations she was operating a puppy mill.
Clark was charged with five counts of aggravated animal cruelty Jan. 30. At the hearing, Clark maintained her innocence and refused to relinquish legal control of the animals, which were removed to different animal shelters and humane societies in central and southern Maine.
Clark's refusal spurred Animal Welfare Program officials to seek custody of the animals.
Worley said most of the animals will be available for adoption in the future. | Source: Maine Today - March 7, 2008
Update posted on Mar 7, 2008 - 4:45PM |
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