Fabio, a 3-year-old bloodhound, is at the center of Eva Morris’ claim versus PAWS Adoption Center. Submitted picture
CAMDEN — An author who has actually regularly checked out Camden to arrange occasions submitted a suit versus PAWS Adoption Center in Camden and 2 of its staff members, stating shelter staff declined to launch her pure-blooded bloodhound to her even after she showed ownership.
Eva Morris submitted the claim in Superior Court in April through Camden lawyer Christopher MacLean and it notes PAWS and staff members Meghan Austin and Shelly Butler as offenders.
PAWS has actually submitted a response to the match dated April 20 rejecting the claims versus it.
Morris, who resides in Arkansas, is an author and owner of Tiger Publishing. She check outs Camden to arrange a yearly literary occasion in which authors read their stories to a regional audience.
On Feb. 8, 2022, her 3-year-old bloodhound, Fabio, left from her friend’s workshop in Lincolnville and was taken in by PAWS. According to the claim, when Morris tried to recover her dog from the shelter, worker Meghan Austin would not permit her to have him. The dog had actually been a present to Morris and at the time of the gifting was called “Rambo,” however she altered the name to “Fabio.”
The claim goes on to state that Austin and fellow PAWS worker Shelley Butler called Camden Police and made incorrect declarations that Morris was an animal trafficker.
Morris made a number of efforts to recover her dog from PAWS bringing files consisting of veterinarian records and a copy of his pure-blooded registration and bringing pals to attest her ownership.
PAWS Adoption Center in Camden. Daniel Dunkle/The Courier-Gazette
The claim mentions that on Feb. 15, 2022, Butler and Austin taped a conference with Morris and her friend David without their understanding or consent.
“During the meeting, Butler and Austin were condescending, rude, confrontational, and bullying toward Eva, who only sought to retrieve her dog,” the claim states.
In June 2022, she submitted a little claims action and discovered Fabio had actually been embraced out, bitten somebody and been gone back to the shelter, according to the claim file. In the match, Morris declares the dog had actually never ever bitten anybody prior to. Following the scenario with PAWS, Fabio bit extra individuals consisting of a shelter staff individual.
The claim explains this as “further evidence of the stress, confusion and maltreatment Fabio was subjected to by PAWS.”
“In August 2022, Eva learned that Fabio had been transferred to a Humane Society shelter in Portland, Maine, where animals not adopted or with problematic behaviors are euthanized, and the plan was to euthanize him that coming weekend,” the claim states.
Morris needed to pay $3,000 in costs to get the dog out of this Portland shelter.
“The kill-shelter was upset with PAWS for not advising them of Eva’s ownership, felt misled by PAWS, and contacted PAWS to advise them never to send a dog to them again without disclosing that the dog’s owner was known,” the court files state.
In completion, the match states Fabio was a shell of his previous self, displaying no eye contact, appearing sad and unenthusiastic in or responsive to physical love. Morris had actually not had actually the dog repaired since it was a pure-blooded that might be used for breeding, however throughout his remain at shelters, he had actually been neutered, reducing his worth.
“In March 2023, Fabio mauled Eva, causing gross facial scarring, and ongoing hand damage,” the claim states.
“Fabio is very different from the dog he once was,” Morris said May 1. “I can’t bring him around people, in the car or off the property. Have to treat him with kid-gloves, and his anxiety has made him a skinny, smaller dog. But I love him. And I have faith.”
The claim looks for undefined damages, compensatory damages, legal expenses, damages for discomfort and suffering and psychological distress.
PAWS, through Waterville lawyer J. William Druary Jr. has actually submitted a response in court rejecting the charges. In addition, the center provides defenses which are not elaborated upon in court files, however they are called as: Failure to specify a claim; relative carelessness; failure to alleviate; pre-existing or subsequent condition; stepping in occasion; and credit for advance payments made to or on behalf of complainants, if any.
It likewise provides as an affirmative defense: “Plaintiff’s claims are barred or limited by the doctrine of charitable immunity.”
PAWS launched a declaration May 1 through lawyer Robert Rubin stating:
“PAWS is deeply concerned that a lawsuit has been started over an incident in which the PAWS staff was simply following municipal and state law regarding stray dogs. While the agency is certain that the allegations will prove to be false, the time and money that will need to be spent to ensure this outcome will be significant. Meanwhile, PAWS will continue to serve the community with the same continuing excellence as always. We would like to take this opportunity to remind our out-of-state visitors who bring their furry friends with them to make sure to have proof of ownership and up-to-date rabies certificates, as required by Maine law, in case their animals are lost. Unfortunately, the plaintiff in this lawsuit failed to do so. When the plaintiff finally came to PAWS with legal credentials, she left abruptly without the dog when she learned that she would have to pay state-authorized fees to collect the dog. She was sent the required 10-day notice and did not respond. PAWS would like to note that all shelters licensed in Maine are ‘no-kill’ shelters unless an animal is dangerous or terminally ill.”
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