Paul LePage pardons a dog that was sentenced to death
Despite his at-times brash personality, Gov. Paul LePage seems to have a soft side for pups.
In an official decree Thursday, the Maine governor pardoned Dakota, a husky who had been sentenced to death for killing a dog and another incident of alleged aggression — but had been adopted by new owners since the original incident.
“I have reviewed the facts of this case and I believe the dog ought to be provided a full and free pardon,” LePage said in a statement Thursday.
According to the governor’s office, LePage was made aware of the case by a board member of the Humane Society shelter in Waterville, which sent a letter to the local district attorney pleading for lenience in Dakota’s case. LePage — a vocal supporter of the death penalty for drug traffickers and murderers — issued the pardon “to shed light” on Dakota’s case.
It’s unclear whether LePage’s pardon is binding in the dog’s case.
Article V, Section 11 of Maine’s state constitution gives the governor the right to “grant reprieves, commutations and pardons … with such restrictions and limitations as may be deemed proper,” but does not specify whether or not that power applies to animals.
The governor’s office did not respond to requests for comment Thursday.
Pardon issued by Maine Gov. Paul LePage for “Dakota the Dog.”
According to the shelter’s letter, Dakota was originally owned by Waterville resident Matthew Perry, who had allowed the dog to run loose.
Dakota was subsequently twice implicated in cases of alleged aggressive behavior toward other dogs, including one case last year in which she killed another small dog. As a result, Dakota had a “dangerous dog” order placed against her and was ordered to be adequately confined or kept on a short leash.
The second case — in which Dakota and another dog returned to the property of the original incident, but resulted in no damage, according to the shelter — occurred “earlier this year,” but did not go court until March 21.
In the time between the date of the second incident and the last week’s court date, Perry gave Dakota to a person in another town, who also allowed the dog to run loose, the shelter said. Dakota was subsequently picked up as stray February 8 and was brought back to be held at the Humane Society shelter in Waterville, pending the outcome of the second case.
“While at the shelter she was a model resident, extremely friendly, social with other dogs, and easy for staff to handle,” wrote Lisa Smith, the shelter’s director. “We observed no aggression of any kind and trained staff deemed the dog did not display any concerning behaviors.”
Dakota, an Alaskan husky.
Later that month, Smith says an animal control officer told the shelter that ownership of Dakota had been placed with them and that they could find a new home for the dog. After again verifying that Dakota could be placed for adoption, Smith says the shelter found the dog a new home in Winslow. The new owners were unaware of the most recent case against Dakota.
On March 21, a judge ordered in the second case that Perry had to have Dakota euthanized. However, Perry was no longer the legal owner. Hence, the new owners — having adopted Dakota just three days earlier — were requested to euthanize their new dog.
However, Smith argues that Perry was not a responsible owner and that the shelter sees “no potential threats” given Dakota’s new home.
“I am requesting a decision that will allow Dakota to remain in this safe situation with the new owner, or to give them ‘due process’ to be heard,” Smith wrote. “We have found her to be an excellent dog, extremely people friendly, and generally dog friendly.”
According to the LePage’s office, the governor was also provided a copy of Smith’s letter.
A subsequent court hearing on the dog’s fate is expected to take place Friday in Augusta District Court.
LePage has owned at least two Jack Russell terrier mix rescue dogs: Baxter, who died last March, and Veto, who was adopted in May. Both were adopted from the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society.
