Animal Control Seizes 50+ Neglected Animals from Sanford Woman

Animal welfare officials say a Sanford woman is banned from owning animals for life after over 50 animals were seized from her home.

The animals that were seized from the farm on Wednesday, July 14th included twenty horses, eleven chickens, two pigs, six dogs, six cats, two geckos, three rats, and one bearded dragon. The woman admitted to members of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry's Animal Welfare Program that she was unable to care for the animals. All of the animals were taken to local shelters, where they're being checked out by veterinarians and restored to good health before being put up for adoption.

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Animal Welfare Director Liam Hughes says it was a good outcome.

The animals are getting the medical care and attention that they need to thrive. We are immensely grateful to all of the animal sheltering organizations, animal control officers, and volunteers who worked together on this important cause.

The woman, whose name has not been released, will not face charges. However, at a possession hearing for the animals, she was given a lifetime animal possession ban. She will be able to ask the courts to amend that ruling in five years.

Aiding in this rescue were members of the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals, Animal Welfare Society of Kennebunk, and Harvest Hills Shelter of Fryeburg, as well as local animal control officers and law enforcement agencies.