ELLSWORTH, Maine — According to a Hancock County judge, 44-year-old Ellisha Kruteleski is facing six counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, which are each punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
She also faces one misdemeanor count of cruelty to animals that is punishable by up to 364 days incarceration and a $2,000 fine.
The charges against Kruteleski stem from a search that was conducted at her animal rescue shelter Coastal Dreams Rescue and Sanctuary by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry’s Animal Welfare Program on July 31.
Court documents show that animal welfare officials and Bucksport police officers discovered 27 dogs who were "very thin and in poor body condition," with some being covered in untreated sores or wounds and a powerful odor of urine and/or feces.
Continuing the search, officials say they found the remains of six deceased dogs—two of which were inside trash bags.
According to court documents, Kruteleski was not at the shelter during the time of the search and later turned herself over to Bucksport police in October.
Animal welfare officials say they have relocated all 27 of the live dogs, and former shelter volunteers for Krutuleski, who attended the hearing, say they are caring for many of them at their daycare in Orland.
"They all got medical treatment and we've been working on getting them rehomed," owner of Camp K-9 Kourtney Coombs said.
While several have been adopted, they say there are many more who could still use a good home.
"No matter how much they've been through they're so loving and just want love from you," Camp K-9 Dog Daycare Manager Vannesa Taylor explained.
Krutuleski remains free on a $500 cash bond and has a trial date set for Jan. 23.