The owner of a Bucksport dog shelter has been indicted on several animal cruelty charges by a Hancock County grand jury.
Ellisha Krutuleski is facing six felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals and one misdemeanor count of cruelty to animals, according to information released Friday by the Hancock County District Attorney’s office.
Ellisha Krutuleski, 44, operated Coastal Dreams Rescue and Sanctuary on Millvale Road in Bucksport. A warrant for her arrest was issued in August after state animal welfare agents seized 27 dogs at the shelter on July 30, a state official has said.
Details about the conditions of the animals, or whether any animals may have died while in her care, have not been publicly released.
According to court documents, the six aggravated cruelty to animals charges filed against Krutuleski stem from allegations that she demonstrated a “depraved indifference to animal life or suffering” and caused “extreme” physical pain, death, or torture of an animal.
The misdemeanor charge accuses her of depriving food, medical attention, shelter or clean conditions to 27 dogs.
The six aggravated cruelty charges are each a Class C felony, a conviction of which is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Attempts to track down contact information for Krutuleski or the animal shelter have been unsuccessful. An Instagram account for the shelter appears to have been deleted.
Additional information about the case was not immediately available Friday.
