Horses, ponies, sheep, goats, dogs, rabbits and ducks were at the home in New Sharon.
NEW SHARON – A Lewiston District Court judge has ordered an estimated 70 animals belonging to a New Sharon woman into state custody.
A hearing on a state application for possession of Carol Murphy’s animals was held in Lewiston Friday.
The state had initially seized 14 animals March 8 because the animals were malnourished and living in filth, according to a court document. The state also found a dead pony and skeletons of animals on the property.
After Judge Paul Cote heard testimony from state witnesses Friday, Robinson said, Cote agreed the animals had been cruelly treated as defined under the state’s animal cruelty laws.
The judge ordered the 70 or so animals – which included horses, ponies, sheep, goats, dogs, rabbits and ducks – into the possession of Maine Department of Animal Welfare, Robinson said.
Murphy said Monday that she tried to take care of the animals, many bought at auction, and treat them for what ailed them.
The 59-year-old woman returned home from work late March 8 and discovered the state had seized 14 of the animals from her Lane Road farm.
Murphy said she became sick at one point and was unable to clean the barn. She also said she thought she was feeding her animals the appropriate amount on advice from others, but learned too late she wasn’t.
“They were too thin,” she said. “In my ignorance, I didn’t know I wasn’t feeding them enough.”
Murphy said she is getting a lawyer to pursue her case.
The Department of Animal Welfare now has the authority to place the animals in appropriate care or to humanely dispose of those that are suffering.
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