I have written several previous entries about this Buxton Kennel debocle of over 250 dogs rescued from a "puppy" mill PLEASE read this copy of the article in The Press Herald: There are three days left of our Ocean Omega Special Sale for September Drive see details in this blog and at www.oceanomega.com

PLEASE help us help these poor animals

http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=136822&ac=PHnws

Judge: Dogs from raid now property of state
A Buxton couple, charged with running an unlicensed kennel and animal cruelty, fail to show for a hearing.

By SETH HARKNESS, Staff Writer

September 27, 2007

BIDDEFORD — A judge ruled on Wednesday that hundreds of dogs that were seized from a couple's kennel in Buxton last month are now the property of the state.

John and Heidi Frasca, owners of J'Aime Kennel, were accused of running a large-scale puppy mill after police raided their property and seized 249 dogs.

The couple failed to show up at Wednesday's custody hearing in Biddeford District Court, and Judge Christine Foster ruled that the dogs should be placed under permanent state care. The Frascas have three weeks to appeal.

In the five weeks since the raid – the largest at an animal- breeding facility in state history – officials with the state Animal Welfare Program have been testing the dogs for infectious diseases. Court documents filed this week indicate that the animals at J'Aime Kennel had numerous diseases and parasites, some of which are transmissible to humans.

Christine Fraser, an Animal Welfare Program veterinarian, reported that many of the dogs were suffering from a variety of ailments related to poor medical care and hygiene.

Fraser's report said 57 of the seized dogs tested positive for giardia, a parasite that can be passed to humans. Fraser also found that 21 dogs tested positive for sarcoptic mange, a skin disease commonly known as scabies.

Nearly half of the dogs had some form of dental disease, and two had fractures in their front legs that were never treated, leaving the animals with limbs they could not use.

"If not for the animals' being seized and provided medical treatment, many of those found at the kennel, mostly puppies, would not have survived," Fraser wrote.

Fraser said the state will care for the dogs for the three-week appeal period and put them up for adoption when they return to health. That will take at least a month, she said.

Steve Jacobsen, director of the Animal Welfare Society in Kennebunk, one of the agencies that are helping to care for the animals, said the group is not yet prepared to field requests from people who are interested in adoptions.

At the time of the raid, police issued 14 summonses to the Frascas related to operating an unlicensed kennel, and three more regarding animal cruelty and failure to provide animals with medical treatment.

On Wednesday, York County District Attorney Mark Lawrence said his office is reviewing the evidence to determine whether any criminal charges are warranted.

Acting as their own attorneys, the Frascas filed a notice with the court this week claiming that the legal actions taken against them were corrupt. The judge struck the six-page document from the record at Wednesday's hearing.

"It's a fraudulent court," John Frasca said in a phone interview Wednesday.

The case has drawn the attention of people who are concerned about the well-being of animals, and dozens of volunteers have helped state officials care for the dogs over the past five weeks.

On Tuesday, about 15 people stood outside Biddeford District Court with signs condemning breeding facilities that pursue profits at the expense of animal welfare.

Robert Fisk, director of Maine Friends of Animals in Falmouth, said the state has a comprehensive set of laws to protect animals but the problems uncovered at the Frascas' kennel show the need for more aggressive enforcement.

"It's an important case because of the numbers involved," he said. "It brings out the fact that backyard breeders and puppy mills are a fact of life in Maine that most people don't realize."

Staff Writer Seth Harkness can be contacted at 282-8225 or at:

sharkness@pressherald.com

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Reader comments

site66 of standish, ME
Sep 27, 2007 8:24 AM
I think that Frascas has found the "new wave" that now exists in the legal system. Historically they have ignored several hearings and code violation notices. The down side? The state removes the animals and foots the bill for their shelter and health care. Cost to Frascas? None! Ignore the custody hearing and the result is that they have no ongoing financial responsibility for the animals. The State is still in the process of determining if any criminal charges are warranted. Who pays for the care of the animals while final custody is being determined. Wake up people! There has to be a down side to disobeying the law.

SPLDRTN of Poland Spring, ME
Sep 27, 2007 7:50 AM
Can we put them in a dirty, urine soaked kennel with feces all over the place and not feed the Frasca's or give them no medical attention? Animals are inocent victims who can not protect themselves. Frasca's.....you make me want to puke all over you!

Kiitty of Windham, ME
Sep 27, 2007 7:10 AM
Gee, Mr.Frasca, I guess you'd know a little bit about corrupt and fradulent, huh?

To claim innocence in the face of such evidence is pathetic. The cruel exploitation of these poor animals nothing short of criminal. The Frascas should be prosecuted to fullest extent of the law and be required to pay some, if not all of the dog's expenses. Many of these expenses would have been paid by them anyway, if they had been reputable, responsible and caring breeders.

Cadra74 of Standish, ME
Sep 27, 2007 7:07 AM
I think the most shocking part of this story is that the Frascas didn't show up for their court date. If they believe that they were not in the wrong, I would have assumed they would have appeared to state their case and protect their property. I know there are many reasons that people represent themselves; however, at first sniff, it comes across as arrogant.