OXFORD — More complaints have been brought to Oxford’s Select Board about the neighborhood surrounding Webber Brook Road.
Last month selectmen heard from residents about several homes in the area being out of compliance with the town’s property maintenance ordinance. Now neighbors are reporting that eight dogs, all from the same residence on 33 Jenny Lane, have become a menace and people are fearful to be in their own yards.
Philip Fiore (left) and Kayla Fogg of 33 Jenny Lane in Oxford were arrested last March on drug, child endangerment, theft and firearms charges. Oxford’s animal control officer and police have responded multiple times to the address listed as the couple’s residence about eight unlicensed dogs roaming loose and threatening people in their yards. Courtesy Oxford Police Department
Two people living at that address, Kayla Fogg and Philip Fiore, were arrested last March and charged with Unlawful Trafficking in Schedule “W” Drug (Class B), Possession of Schedule “Z” Drug (Class D), Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Class D), Possession of a Firearm by Prohibited Persons (Class D), and Criminal Asset Forfeiture (Civil). FIORE received an additional charge of Theft by Receiving Stolen Property (Class E).
After obtaining a second search warrant for the residence, more firearms, marijuana and drug paraphernalia were found, resulting in additional charges against the pair. According to Jack, the case is still pending and, although it was suggested that the firearms had been returned to the pair, “nothing has been returned, regarding this case.”
At last week’s selectmen’s meeting, residents from neighboring homes reported that they have called Animal Control Officer Robert Larrabee and Oxford Police Department multiple times for help, as well as the Maine animal welfare department in Augusta and the Oxford county district attorney’s office, all to no avail.
Neighbors said the dogs bark continuously at night, and earlier in the week one resident was charged by the dogs in his yard and had to brandish a rake to defend himself.
Police Chief Rickie Jack said his department had been called about that incident and was handling it. That neighbor is now keeping a loaded weapon by his door for protection.
“I’m afraid to go in my own yard,” one person said. “They are not registered …. Last winter one came over a snowbank and chased my son into the house. They are dangerous and should be removed.”
This Australian Cattle Dog, a working breed for herding large livestock, is one of eight that have been reported to Oxford Animal Control Officer Robert Larrabee and Police Chief Rickie Jack for running free and behaving aggressively. Courtesy Oxford Police Department
“There is an issue with these dogs and we are addressing [it],” Jack confirmed Thursday. “We issued a bunch of summonses two weeks ago to that individual, and we’re working with Robert [Larrabee]. But in order for those dogs to be taken, it has to be done by the court. It’s not a simple process to do.”
According to Detective Brandon Correia, Oxford police issued summons to residents of 33 Jenny Lane on Sept. 12 and Sept. 20.
Correia referred questions about the process of seizing potentially dangerous dogs to Oxford’s Animal Control Officer Robert Larrabee. As of Tuesday afternoon, phone messages left for ACO Larrabee had not been returned.
One other resident asked if the solution is to wait until someone gets hurt before the issue is resolved. “There are people who live on our road with little kids and it’s a safety hazard for them.”
“These people have been summonsed and summonsed,” Jack said. “And unfortunately we’re getting no support from the courts. There is a lot of frustration.”
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