Two Fort Fairfield residents have been arrested after their eight pit bulls were rescued Saturday from “deplorable” conditions at their home.
The area inside the Limestone Road home where the pit bulls were found was filled with feces, urine and “other filth,” according to Fort Fairfield Police Chief Matthew Cummings.
The pit bulls were severely emaciated and malnourished, and covered in lacerations and scarring, including wounds on their paws, Cummings said Wednesday.
Two puppies were found dead on the floor and in a kennel.
Police arrested Daniel Bernaiche, 50, and Christina Wilcox, 42, without incident in Presque Isle early Thursday morning, Cummings said.
Bernaiche and Wilcox have been charged with 12 counts of aggravated animal cruelty, all of which are Class C charges. Both were transferred to the Aroostook County Jail in Houlton, where they were being held on a $5,000 cash bail.
The surviving dogs were taken to Central Aroostook Humane Society in Presque Isle, but one dog was in such poor condition that it was immediately taken to an emergency veterinarian in Canada, according to Cummings.
BDN writer Christopher Burns contributed to this report.