Dog lovers line up to adopt orphaned pups

KENNEBUNK – Gary Lowell spent a hot, sticky night sleeping in his car outside the Kennebunk Animal Welfare Society.

His reward came when he got to choose from among 10 puppies whose mother was shot two months ago by a York County sheriff’s deputy moments after she gave birth.

“I wanted to beat the rush,” Lowell said. “I was not taking any chances.”

Lowell secured his spot in line at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Beginning at 11 a.m. Wednesday, the puppies were available first-come, first-served. For being first in line, Lowell got the pick of the litter.

The York County Sheriff’s Department has not yet released the results of its investigation into the May 5 shooting on the New Road in Arundel.

Deputy Chief Maurice Ouellette said the shooting appears warranted because the dog, described as a Rottweiler-German shepherd mix, was a threat to the deputy, Dwight Burtis.

“A 110-pound vicious dog came charging at the guy and he had to defend himself,” Ouellette said.

Since that day, dog lovers have been determined to call one of the puppies their own.

“I’ve been calling every day for the past three weeks,” said Lisa Hilton of Waterboro. “I’d say, ‘I want my name on the list. I want one of those puppies.”‘

About three people slept outside the shelter overnight. In all, about 10 people lined up for a chance at a puppy.

“This is the first time we’ve had people sleep here overnight,” said Denise Springer, manager of the shelter.

The mixed-breed pups – which look like a Labrador-shepherd-Rottweiler-husky mix – have been cared for in foster homes since they were brought into the shelter in May. Some people, like Lowell, learned of the puppies through friends who were fostering the babies.

Others, like Hilton, learned of them through news reports of the shooting.