21 Dogs, a Cat, and a Pig Seized from East Millinocket Property

East Millinocket Police have charged a local woman with cruelty to animals after responding to a dog attack.

Who Was Arrested?

Megan Mathis, 34, of East Millinocket has been charged with animal cruelty.

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Why Did Police First Go to the Home?

Police were called to a disorderly complaint on Main Street in East Millinocket on Wednesday, August 2nd. When they arrived, the officers learned that some local residents were trying to stop a number of dogs from attacking other dogs in a small fenced-in area on the property. East Millinocket Police Chief Cameron McDunnah tells us all the dogs involved in the fight belonged to Mathis and were contained in an area too small to accommodate them. She said it took several community members to contain the fight before it became worse than it was.

As a result of that dog fight, one of the dogs was killed. Six dogs were eventually turned over by the owners to the police and the animals were taken to a local shelter. Officials say the dogs were living in extremely poor conditions and some showed signs of being malnourished.

How Many Animals Were Taken from the Property?

East Millinocket Police obtained a search warrant for the following day to retrieve other animals from the property. By the time they were finished, police had seized 21 dogs, 1 cat, and 1 pig and transported them to area shelters to be cared for. Mathis was charged with animal cruelty and police say additional charges are likely.

Police were aided in this operation by Maine Animal Welfare, the Penobscot Valley Humane Society, Katahdin Critters, the Central Aroostook Humane Society, Bean Forest and Swampland Farm, the East Millinocket Fire Department, the Town of Millinocket's Animal Control Officer, and members of the Public Works Departments from Millinocket and East Millinocket.