Person who dumped dog hit and killed by car may face charges
LEWISTON, Maine (AP) - A heartless person who ditched a dog that was hit and killed by a car may face criminal charges, Maine police said Friday.
As the story spread across social media, Lewiston police said on Facebook the person had been identified and interviewed. They said the case will be forward to the District Attorney's Office "for review and the filing of a formal criminal charge is likely."
The dog, a yellow lab mix, was killed Thursday, three days after being abandoned in the parking lot of an animal shelter in Lewiston that was closed at the time. Surveillance video from the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society shows the dog being let out of a minivan and then giving futile chase as the vehicle drives off.
As you many of you know, our staff and volunteers have been actively searching for this dog that was abandoned outside of our facility on Monday evening. Unfortunately during our morning search the dog was found hit by a car near the off ramp of the bridge. A sad morning here at GAHS with the passing of this dog, but we are determined to figure out who dropped this dog off at our facility. If you have any leads, please contact Animal Control through the police department. Thank you to our staff, volunteers and members of the public who helped us try to bring this dog back to safety. You are all greatly appreciated.
"It is heartbreaking," shelter operator Zach Black told WCSH-TV Friday. "The dog's body language, its tail was wagging. It seemed happy just to be outside and then it was chasing the car almost like when you leave your door, yard. Your dog may chase your car wanting to be with you."
Lewiston Police said the publicity about the case generated numerous tips from the public.
Even though the shelter was closed, people were inside. But the dog took off before anyone got outside.
The dog was on the loose until being hit around 8 a.m. Thursday near an off ramp of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge.
"We take in abandoned, stray and abused animals and find them new homes and that would have been the outcome we would have liked for this dog," Black told the station.