4 dogs left out in bitter cold
Skowhegan, ME (US)Incident Date: Friday, Jan 2, 2009
County: Somerset
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Reeve Moreau
A Cornville man faces criminal charges in court later this month for allegedly leaving several dogs outside in the bitter cold and heavy snow in January, police said Tuesday.
Reeve Moreau, 50, of Steam Mill Road, faces at least one count of animal cruelty, a criminal misdemeanor charge, Lt. Carl Gottardi of the Somerset County Sheriff's Department said.
Gottardi said once the case if reviewed by the district attorney, additional charges could be filed.
Moreau was arrested Jan. 27, in Old Town, weeks after police, armed with a search warrant, raided his rural home.
Gottardi said the search warrant gave police the authority to seize several dogs, which reportedly had been left outside without proper shelter, food and water.
There was no one at the residence when police arrived with the search warrant on Jan. 2, Gottardi said, adding that it appeared no one had been there in recent days.
He said temperatures that week dipped to 30 degrees below zero.
"In all, four dogs were seized," Gottardi said in a release. "Said dogs were being exposed to the severe elements, with either no shelter whatsoever, or inadequate shelter."
He said the dogs had no food or water and some of them appeared to be underweight.
"It was further noted that some of the dogs' leashes were tangled around obstacles, thus preventing them from entering a shelter," Gottardi said in the release.
Moreau is scheduled to make his initial appearance Feb. 25 at Skowhegan District Court. References« ME State Animal Cruelty Map
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