DOVER-FOXCROFT (AP) – The 92 English springer spaniels seized in April from a kennel in Dover-Foxcroft are a step closer to being placed in new homes.

The state Animal Welfare Program got the green light this week to release for adoption the 92 dogs, along with 21 puppies born since they were taken from the home of Mark Hagelin. Officials notified the six shelters holding the springers that the adoptions can move forward.

The release authorization came after Hagelin failed to post a bond for the care of the animals during his pending appeal of a judge’s order that the dogs be forfeited to the state.

“Hopefully, they’ll get new homes quickly because they deserve it,” said District Attorney R. Christopher Almy.

At the time of the seizure, officials said the springers were living in filthy and unsanitary conditions without adequate food and water.

Hagelin claims that the state’s search of his home was illegal and he has threatened to add the names of those who adopt the dogs and the participating humane agencies to lawsuits filed in U.S. District Court.

“The state came in and stole those dogs, and those people have received stolen property and I’ll hold them accountable,” Hagelin said. “I’m not playing nice anymore.”

Now that the adoptions can go forward, some of the agencies where the dogs are being boarded will spay or neuter them before their release, said Christine Fraser, veterinarian for the Animal Welfare Program.

Hagelin responded angrily to that prospect, saying the dogs were selected from around the country as part of a breeding program. “If they fixed all those dogs, there will be payback,” he said, adding that he would seek increased punitive damages from the state.

Hagelin and his father, Burton Hagelin Sr., face criminal charges of cruelty to animals and are expected to appear in court next month.

Almy said he did not need to keep the dogs as evidence because the search, the animals and their living conditions were recorded on video.

Since the seizure, the dogs have been in the state’s possession and have been boarded at facilities in Augusta, Bangor, Brunswick, Rockport, Waterville and Westbrook at a cost now totaling about $40,000.

“We are tremendously relieved to get these dogs into homes,” Fraser said.