Brownfield animal control officer seizes dog

A dog that reportedly mauled another dog outside the Brownfield Public Library on May 7 was seized under court order by the local animal control officer last Saturday.

Edgardo Lozano’s pitbull mastiff mix, Blaze, had been cited for allegedly attacking a dog near the library at 216 Main St. by Animal Control Officer Cynthia Eaton, who covers both Brownfield and Denmark, Maine.

According to Eaton, Blaze jumped in a car and attacked a Lab owned by Judy and Jay O'Brien of Brownfield in the parking lot of the library.

Paperwork from the O'Briens provided by Eaton indicates they seek restitution of $143 for care provided by Fryeburg Veterinary following the incident.

Lozano, of Brownfield, was charged with animal trespass, license necessary, reimbursement for damage done by animals, keeping a dangerous dog and dog at large. He was given a July 9 court date.

Meanwhile, Eaton and Assistant Oxford County District Attorney Richard Beauchesne sought to have Blaze temporarily removed from Lozano’s custody. Their request was approved by Bridgton District Judge Peter Darvin last Friday.

“Animal control officer or other authorized town official may immediately seize, detain and confine the animal,” Darvin wrote in his order.

Eaton said there will be a hearing June 4, when Lozano can argue that Blaze should be returned to him.

Blaze is being held at the Harvest Hills Animal Shelter.

Blaze is the second of Lozano’s dogs to have trouble with the law.

A German shepherd named Shadow had to be moved out of nearby Denmark, Maine, under court order.

The issue with Shadow first came to light in March, when Brownfield Administrative Assistant Megan Witt sent notices to residents within a half-mile of the new Main Street address in Brownfield for Shadow.

The letter cites a Sept. 11, 2018, Bridgton District Court order saying that Lozano “shall keep Shadow in an enclosure of at least 6 feet tall to prevent young children from entry.” The enclosure, the notice said, would serve to “confine a dangerous dog.”

"The defendant was sentenced to 14 days in the Oxford County Jail," wrote Assistant District Attorney Richard Beauchesne in a second motion for contempt dated April 30. However, he added, "the court suspended this sentence and allowed the Defendant to purge this contempt by removing the dog, Shadow, from the Town of Denmark no later than April 1, 2019."

The court also decided that Lozano needed to confine the dog as per the order of Sept. 11, 2018.

The court-ordered enclosure was to have a top, bottom and sides. It was to be completed by Nov. 11, 2018; however, that didn't happen and last Dec. 5, the District Attorney's Office filed a motion for contempt that was issued in February.

As of April 30, the enclosure remained "in violation of the Court's order," said Beauchesne in his motion for contempt.

Parties involved in the second contempt charge regarding Shadow were in Bridgton District Court on May 14.

After speaking privately with both the prosecution and defense attorneys for about 30 minutes, Judge Maria Woodman deliberated and eventually issued a handwritten order stating the motion for contempt (regarding Shadow) was being withdrawn by the state.

While at the Bridgton courthouse, Eaton told the Sun that Shadow won't live long and is already partially paralyzed.

She noted: “It’s unfortunate to have to go through this process over again with Lozano and another dog, but we have to put the safety of the dog and everyone around it, first.”