PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 3, 2021
I was dismayed to read July 29 (“After seizures at farm, woman is banned from having animals”) about the seizure of 20 horses and many other animals from a Springvale property. An Animal Welfare Program spokesman is paraphrased saying the state “is pleased with the outcome” that a court ordered the neglectful owner not to own animals, except for a few cats and dogs. Outrageous. What good does it do for Maine to have animal welfare laws if they are not enforced? At the very least, a criminal prosecution should have moved forward, and fines should be imposed. When people hoard animals, neglect them and keep them in inhumane conditions, there should be legal and financial consequences. Otherwise, the message is that anyone can get away with this level of neglect. ~ Alice Persons, Westbrook