MFOA Announces New Cruelty Investigation Division (C.I.D.)

Maine Friends of Animals

Cruelty Investigation Division (C.I.D.)

Dogs Chained for Life’ Program

Cruelty Investigation Assistance

Animal Cruelty Helpline

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

For over 25 years, Maine Friends of Animals has led the fight in Maine against dogs being left outside 24/7, also known as ‘Dogs Chained for Life.’ In 2006, MFOA passed first-in-the-nation legislation addressing dogs being left outside on a continuous basis. A follow-up program was instituted in 2007 to educate and facilitate the removal of these animals from their life of misery. We think it is one of the most pervasive forms of animal cruelty in the state.

We recently combined that program experience with our past investigative initiatives in Maine assisting in animal cruelty cases, which we have significantly increased our efforts with in recent years. In 2018, MFOA also passed “Franky’s Law” — legislation that can assist Maine courts in animal cruelty cases. We work with those who need help in pursuing cruelty issues and by connecting them with local and state authorities, providing information, procedural and evidence gathering advice and offering, when feasible, follow-up investigative actions. We also have legal counsel trained in animal welfare and cruelty cases available for advice.

Thirdly, we have added an ‘Animal Cruelty Helpline’ for those in need of more immediate support. Most calls will be answered within 24 hours, 48 hours or less on weekends. We hope the combination of these three resources will be a valuable service to those wanting to report animal cruelty in Maine.

C.I.D. Motto: Abuse an animal in Maine. You go to jail.

‘DOGS CHAINED FOR LIFE’ (DCFL) PROGRAM

Since MFOA’s inception almost 30 years ago, dogs being left outside on a continuous basis has been one of our leading causes that ultimately led to passing the first state legislation to address it, and the development of a 25-year rescue support program.

Canines of all breeds are tethered outside day after day, night after night, week after week, month after month, in the heat of August and the cold of January. They suffer from sporadic feedings, overturned or frozen water bowls, inadequate shelter, no veterinary care, and extremes in weather and temperature. The dogs have to eat, sleep, urinate, and defecate in a single confined area. They beat down the grass, often leaving the ground consisting of nothing but dirt or mud. In many cases, the necks of these chained dogs become raw and covered with sores, the result of improperly fitted collars and their constant yanking and straining to escape confinement.

For these outcast, forlorn, forgotten animals this miserable existence is only part of their story. Dogs are pack animals and their isolation means they suffer immense psychological damage, harassment, become neurotic, anxious and often aggressive. Their flight or fight instinct is muted with no flight option and it has to fight. MFOA has been involved since 1997 in saving countless dogs from this inhumane treatment and suffering.

View a short MFOA YouTube video used as a Public Service Announcement (PSA) that Maine Television stations have aired from time to time, leading MFOA to take action on a DCFL https://mfoa.net/activism-programs/mfoas-dogs-chained-life-25-year-campaign (scroll down)

What you should do if you see a “Dog Chained for Life” (DCFL)

10 WAYS TO HELP

1. Know the law regarding dogs left out on a continuous basis.
Although Maine currently allows tethering 24/7, the State does have very specific requirements regarding dogs left outside for more than 12 hours per day. This law was passed by MFOA in 2006 and is posted below. Know the law to cite infractions.

2. Gather information. Document.
Document the neglect and violations of existing law using pictures and written accountings. Keep record of all communications and photos that you have with authorities concerning the dog’s welfare. The law is often not followed or reported, so your detailed and recorded actions are vitally important.

3. Educate the dog owner.
Send a non-threatening MFOA flyer to the dog owner regarding why chaining is inhumane and dangerous. MFOA has a handout and a door-knob card that can be sent to you to provide the owner with education about a dog left outside 24/7. Once educated and/or potentially facing legal consequences, the owner may relinquish the animal.

4. Contact the local authorities.
Report the dog to your local Animal Control Officer (ACO) noting specific legal infractions. Be sure to have the physical address of the dog when making a report. Provide as much detail and documentation as possible.

5. Follow-up with the Animal Control Officer to determine what steps have been taken to correct the neglect. Occurrences of neglect are rarely resolved with one phone call. If more humane infractions occur, contact the ACO again. Continue to monitor the situation and document it. If the ACO is not responsive, call his/her superiors (police department, Town Manager).

6. Animal Welfare Program.
The next step is to contact the State Animal Welfare Program by calling 207-287-3846, or going online at https://www.maine.gov/dacf/ahw/animal_welfare/ or emailing animal.welfare@maine.gov Your information can be kept confidential.

7. Engage the community.
Most likely, you are not the only person concerned about the dog’s well-being. Speak to neighbors about the dog. Ask them to become involved in documentation and communication with authorities and/or the dog owner.

8. Offer alternatives to chaining.
Often dogs are chained outside because they are not house trained, are destructive in the home, are escape artists, or simply unwanted. Offering the dog owner solutions to these challenges, such as assistance building a fence, training tips, or re-homing, can save a dog’s life. Unfortunately, many DCFL are used solely as a ’guard dogs’, and the owners have no attachment to the dog, and may relinquish the animal when pressured.

9. Contact the Maine Friends of Animals. If efforts with local and state authorities do not result in satisfactory action, contact Maine Friends of Animals. We have no legal authority and have to work with all the parties involved, but given our almost 30 years of experience with DCFL and animal cruelty in Maine, we have connections and ways to assist when legitimate cases are not being appropriately handled.

10. Get political.
Notify local authorities in enforcing existing laws. Write a letter-to-the-editor in your local newspaper about the plight of DCFL, spread the word on social media, and/or call your local TV station.

MFOA legislation: L.D. 204, “An Act to Protect Dogs That Are Left Outside” Public Law, Chapter 340, May 2006

This bill establishes tethering and shelter standards specific to dogs that are confined outside on tethers for long periods as its primary means of confinement. Primary means of confinement means the method used to confine a dog for periods of time that exceeds 12 hours in a 24-hour period.

Necessary Sustenance

Food. The food shall be of sufficient quantity and quality to maintain all animals in good health.
Water. If potable water is not accessible to the animal at all times, it must be provided daily and in sufficient quantity for the health of the animal. Snow or ice is not an adequate water source.

Shelter Standards

If a dog is tied or confined unattended outdoors under weather conditions that adversely affect the health of the dog, a shelter of suitable size with a floor above ground and waterproof roof must be provided to accommodate the dog and protect it from the weather and, in particular, from the severe cold. Inadequate shelter may be indicated by the shivering of the dog due to cold weather for a continuous period of 30 minutes.
A shelter must be provided that is fully enclosed (four-sided; upgraded from three sides) except for a portal.
The portal must be sufficient size to allow the dog unimpeded passage into and out of the structure. For dogs other than arctic breeds, the portal must be constructed in a manner that keeps wind and precipitation out of the interior.
The shelter must have clean bedding material sufficient to retain the dog’s normal body heat.

Chain / Tether Standards

The chain or tether must be attached to both the dog and the anchor using swivels or similar devices that prevent the chain or tether from becoming entangled or twisted.
The chain or tether must be attached to a well-fitted collar or harness on the dog.
The chain or tether must be at least 5 times the length of the dog measured from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail; 2.5 times the length of an arctic breed.

CRUELTY INVESTIGATION ASSISTANCE

The Cruelty Investigation Division (C.I.D.) will work to assist Mainers reporting animal cruelty to companion, farm or wild animals by interacting and assisting with animal protection laws, local authorities, state agencies, reporting procedures, animal control officers, the Animal Welfare Program, district prosecutors, animal shelters, state humane agents, legislators and others in securing justice for animals treated inhumanely.

We are not a law enforcement agency and have no legal authority to intervene directly, but we can help one to identify and report animal abuse and neglect to local and state authorities. We cannot report your case to the Animal Welfare Program (AWP) for you as a third party. Your first call after the local Animal Control Officer is to the AWP at 207-287-3846 or https://www.maine.gov/dacf/ahw/animal_welfare/. Your information can be kept confidential.

If you feel you need more advice and/or you don’t feel the cruelty case is being handled as expected after your initial attempts, then contact MFOA. We will try and help you identify your next steps, always being cognizant of not harming on-going investigations by the AWP and police. Remember your reporting also helps raise awareness, acts as a deterrent and prevents further harm. Below is important information to guide and assist you in reporting animal cruelty.

Lastly, if you would like some legal advice, MFOA has a standing in-house volunteer who is an attorney that is well versed in Maine’s animal welfare laws. Cassandra l. Morin, Esq. is an attorney for Desmond, Rand & Guerard, P.A. in Westbrook, and part of her practice is animal welfare and cruelty cases. She charges a one-time consultation fee of $99 for new clients and will answer your questions, give you advice on the merits of your case and how best to proceed. At a minimum, a consultation will guide you in the right direction. Cassandra can be reached at 207-854-1218.

What you should do to report animal cruelty in Maine (other than DCFL)

Document, document, document (see ASPCA document tips below)
Contact your local animal control officer by Googling Maine Animal Welfare Program or go to: https://www.maine.gov/dacf/ahw/animal_welfare/animal_control_officers.shtml
You should try and work closely with your Animal Control Officer, but if he/she does not respond meaningfully, contact the town Police Department and/or town manager. If this should arise or you need more immediate help, contact the State Animal Welfare Program via website, email at animal.welfare@maine.gov or call 207-287-3846.
Animal Welfare Program hours: Monday-Friday 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM. If you have an emergency after hours, contact the Maine State Police barracks in Bangor and they will call an Animal Welfare Program representative, 207-973-3700.
Depending on the case, politely follow-up to see what the status is of your report, if they can provide you with any information, and when you might be informed of any legal action.
Remember: the local and state authorities, especially law enforcement, are our partners in this effort, and our goal is to help them in the appropriate and helpful ways we can. Our new cruelty investigation program will attempt to guide you in your important effort of reporting a Maine animal(s) being abused, neglected or treated inhumanely.
Lastly, if the above has not produced any results, contact MFOA’s Cruelty Investigation Division at 207-781-2187. We will review your situation, talk with you, and advise you on what your next possible steps might be, and how we may assist.

Investigation Documentation and Tips (ASPCA 2024)

Documentation:

Documentation is most important to develop probable cause for a search warrant
Document any statements / interviews with the caretaker about the animals
Notes should be specific and descriptive
Whenever possible, take photos and/or video
Use senses and describe overall conditions of premises and the animal (smells, weather conditions, underweight, medical concerns, grooming, behavior, appropriate food and water)
Number, breed, and size of animals

Tips:

Try to establish ownership - licensing, photos, telephone number, how long they have had the dog
Do not draw medical or legal conclusions
Many observations can be seen from a public vantage point
History of owner, neighbor / family, and complaint history
Ask open-ended questions and summarize response
If eventually you are asked to testifying and are willing to, here a some general tips:

1. Tell the truth

2. Don’t be a argumentative regardless of the grievance; respect the court

3. Dress professionally (and comfortably)

4. Listen carefully, speak slowly

5. Use plain language, not technical or statistical

ANIMAL CRUELTY HELPLINE

This call line, besides offering advice and information, has and can make all the difference for an individual animal. Your call may lead to eventual relief for an animal(s) in jeopardy. If we cannot provide the needed advice, we can often direct you to the appropriate person / agency. We also urge you to first read the previous section: Cruelty Investigation Assistance.

Tracking and analyzing the call data, along with our DCFL and investigative work data, will allow MFOA to detect issues and trends. This proactive approach will determine priorities for potential legislative action and/or non-legislative policy changes. It also may indicate services that are lacking, and/or define other needs in the areas of training and humane education. In this regard, the helpline serves as an incubator for longer-term, systemic change.

How to Report Cruelty to Animals in Maine

Call MFOA’s Animal Cruelty Helpline at 207-781-2187

Most calls are returned within 24 hours; calls made outside general business hours will be returned within 48 hours or less. You can also email us at info@mfoa.net.

Speak slowly and clearly and provide the following:

Describe your concern
What have you witnessed?
Provide the address and town/city in which this took place
If you do not know the address, provide clear directions with street names and landmarks.
State your name and leave a number where you can be reached.