LEWISTON — Police confirmed Tuesday that they still plan to charge the woman who left a dog unattended at the local animal shelter before the dog ran into traffic and was struck and killed.
“The Police Department has plans to summons her in the next couple days,” Lt. Adam Higgins said Tuesday. “(Police are) still working on the investigation, as well as working with the DA’s Office for the proper charges.”
District Attorney Andrew Robinson said Tuesday that his office has the preliminary report from police.
“We are looking for more information,” Robinson said. “We’ll make a charging decision after we’ve had an opportunity to review all the facts.”
The woman, who has not been publicly named, called a Portland radio station on Friday, a day after the dog was found dead, and said she left the dog at the Greater Androscoggin Human Society to protect her children. “My kids come first,” she said, expressing regret for the dog being struck and killed.
The dog named Abby was left at the shelter on Strawberry Avenue late Monday. On Thursday morning, it was found dead on the ramp to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge off Main Street. The ramp is not far from the shelter.
Thanks to surveillance video and tips from the public, police were able to identify the woman. Late last week, police said they talked to her, forwarded the case to the District Attorney’s Office and anticipated formal criminal charges.
“The investigation is still open (and) we’re working with the DA’s Office,” Higgins said Tuesday.
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.
Posted by Greater Androscoggin Humane Society on Thursday, January 28, 2016
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