Owners of seized spaniels charged in domestic fight

NEWPORT – A domestic dispute Tuesday between a Dover-Foxcroft father and son whose 92 English springer spaniels were seized by authorities earlier this month has resulted in charges against both men.

Mark Hagelin, 45, and his father Burton Hagelin Sr., 73, reportedly had a physical altercation while the pair and Burton Hagelin’s wife, Carol, were traveling in a motor vehicle on Route 7 in Newport, according to Newport Officer Gary Morin.

Morin said police received a call at about 3 p.m. reporting that a domestic assault had occurred.

Burton Hagelin Sr. was charged with domestic assault and was summoned to appear May 18 in Newport District Court.

His son, who was arrested and charged with operating an unregistered motor vehicle and violating conditions of his release, made his initial court appearance Wednesday in Newport District Court.

Dressed in prison orange, Mark Hagelin pleaded no contest to the new charges, appearing before Judge Bernard Staples. He was fined $100 on each count, returned to the Penobscot County Jail and later released from custody.

Mark Hagelin also faces a count of obstructing government administration in 13th District Court in Dover-Foxcroft, a charge lodged when Hagelin allegedly tried to re-enter his family home after being told he could not go inside when state, local and county authorities executed a search warrant April 15. He could face even further charges.

Piscataquis County District Attorney R. Christopher Almy said Wednesday that he still is reviewing evidence from the search and seizure of the dogs to decide who will be charged and with what they will be charged.

The search earlier this month led to the seizure of 92 English springer spaniels and puppies, some of which were reportedly ill and malnourished, according to authorities.

The conditions inside the Hagelin home where many of the dogs were living was considered “horrendous,” Norma Worley, director of the state animal welfare programs, said after the search.

She and police who assisted in the search claimed the floors in the Hagelin home were covered with dog feces and urine.

The condition of the home reportedly was so deplorable that Dover-Foxcroft selectmen voted earlier this week to start court action to condemn the building.

The board authorized Town Manager Jack Clukey to hire an engineer to inspect the structure and advise the board on what options should be taken, such as demolition.

Until the actual hearing is held on the matter in Piscataquis County Superior Court, which could take several months, the Hagelin family has the option to make the home habitable. The board could move to dismiss the complaint if the home were cleaned and improved.

Mark Hagelin does not dispute that some work needs to be done to the property, but he told selectmen Monday that its condition “has been exaggerated to the point of being ridiculous.”

He and his father have filed a $1 million federal lawsuit against state and county officials, claiming that their civil rights were violated when authorities raided their Gray Hill Road home.