Two dogs left to starve
Belgrade, ME (US)

Incident Date: Monday, Aug 29, 2011
County: Kennebec

Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: Lawrence Strohmeyer

A doctor with a practice in Winslow was summoned for animal cruelty after two starving dogs were found inside his abandoned home in Belgrade.

Maine State Police Trooper Rick Moody delivered the summons to Lawrence Strohmeyer, 57, a doctor of osteopathic medicine who is board-certified in psychiatry, at the Bio-Psychosocial Institute of Maine, which he operates at 120 Augusta Road in Winslow.

A bank representative discovered the starving dogs Aug. 29 when he went to inspect Strohmeyer's Manchester Road home, which is undergoing foreclosure.

According to Steve McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety, the bank representative heard noises, entered the home and encountered the two starving animals.

The bank representative thought squatters might have taken up residence in the home and called state police.

McCausland said it appeared the dogs, a border collie and a shepherd mix, had not had food or water for about two weeks.

Lt. Donald Pomelow said the shepherd mix could not walk and dragged itself along the floor.

Pomelow said Strohmeyer indicated he had checked on the dogs 10 days prior and they seemed thin but OK.

Pomelow said Friday that both dogs have gained weight since then, but the shepherd's kidneys may not be functioning properly.

A representative at the Humane Society Waterville Area, where an animal control officer took the dogs, declined to discuss the dogs' condition.

A message left Friday at the Bio-Psychosocial Institute of Maine was not returned. A recording indicated the office is closed Fridays.

According to its website, the Bio-Psychosocial Institute treats patients who have fibromyalgia, sleep disorders and headaches.

In March 2010, U.S. District Judge John Woodcock ordered Strohmeyer to pay almost $109,000 plus interest on an education loan that was in default. Strohmeyer claimed that because he had filed for bankruptcy protection in 2004, he should not have to repay the loan.

References

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