PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — A local man has been charged with animal cruelty after complaints from residents led to an investigation by the city’s animal control officer.
Joseph Davis, 41, of Presque Isle is facing a felony count of aggravated cruelty to animals and a misdemeanor charge of practicing veterinary medicine without a license, Presque Isle police Chief Matt Irwin wrote on the Police Department’s Facebook page Monday afternoon.
Presque Isle Animal Control Officer Dan Corey determined Davis had cropped a 4-month-old puppy’s ears using scissors and no anesthetic or sedation, according to Irwin.
Corey began investigating Davis when Presque Isle residents told police they saw Davis making the young dog drag a brick tethered to its collar.
Corey developed probable cause to charge Davis, Irwin said in his Facebook post.
After the charges, the dog remained with Davis, but Irwin said police requested a court order Tuesday morning to take custody of the dog.