Both the owner of a pet cow shot and killed in Embden last week and the alleged shooter have been summonsed on charges in connection with the animal’s death, police said.
Police say Sophie, a three-year-old Holstein heifer, was shot and killed by a neighbor of her owners after causing damage to an SUV. (Contributed photo courtesy of Nikkia Danforth)
Jaime Danforth, 40, of Embden, was summonsed Wednesday for animal trespass, a civil violation, said Somerset County Sheriff Dale Lancaster in a news release.
Mason Sparrow, 24, of Embden, was summonsed for cruelty to animals.
Sparrow allegedly shot and killed Sophie, a three-year-old Holstein heifer, after the cow escaped its pen and wandered on to a neighbor’s property, where it damaged an SUV.
The sheriff’s office investigated the case and consulted with the State of Maine’s Director of Animal Welfare and the Somerset County District Attorney’s Office before bringing up the charges, Lancaster said.
“Sheriff Lancaster would like to advise everyone that owners are responsible for maintaining control of their domestic animals,” the release said. “The law is also clear that you cannot kill a domestic animal belonging to another person without their consent. If a domestic animal is trespassing on your property, you do have recourse.
“You can notify the town’s animal control officer. If you do not reach a satisfactory resolution, you may contact the town office, who is responsible for hiring that animal control officer. If a domestic animal does damage to your property, recourse occurs through the civil court system.”
Danforth is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday, Nov. 14 at the Somerset County Unified Court. Sparrow is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 7 at the Somerset County Unified Court.
Rachel Ohm — 612-2368
Twitter: @rachel_ohm
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