BUCKSPORT, Maine (WABI/Gray News) – The owner and operator of a Maine animal rescue is accused of multiple counts of mistreating dogs at her rescue facility.

Sierra Hancock, dog coordinator at Rags to Riches Animal Rescue, told WABI that until recently, Coastal Dreams Rescue and Sanctuary owner Ellisha Krutuleski had a good reputation in the animal rescue community in Florida and Maine.

Hancock said Rags to Riches sent Krutuleski a 1-year-old pit bull named Howler in April after Krutuleski said she could care for him.

Rags to Riches donated $5,000 to Coastal Dreams to cover expenses, but in return wanted updated information on Howler.

Hancock said Krutuleski initially gave them updates, but by June they had seen warning signs.

On July 30, authorities were called to Coastal Dreams and found six dog remains in garbage bags and boxes, as well as 27 dogs living in poor conditions, according to authorities.

Rags to Riches said they were devastated to learn they had sent Howler to a location that was not safe.

“He’s been through so much and now he’s fighting for his life because of her. That hurts more than the anger at what she did, but of course the anger at what she did makes it even worse. She has to do the right thing or it’s not going to turn out well legally at all,” Hancock said.

She believes the abuse and neglect began as soon as Howler arrived in April.

According to court documents, Krutuleski was not at the emergency room the day authorities were called. She was reportedly in the hospital with an unknown illness.

“When that got out and we made our first post about Howler, she commented on her business page, Coastal Dreams Rescue, on our Rags to Riches post on Facebook and said, ‘Oh, I don’t know what happened while I was in the hospital. I was gone for a week and this happened. You don’t know what you’re talking about,'” Hancock said. “Basically she tried to plead her case but said it was her volunteers neglecting their animals and that it was only for a week. I’m sorry, Howler’s condition, over six dead dogs, several others unidentified, several others actively dying because they’re sick and emaciated, that doesn’t happen in a week. I’m sorry, that doesn’t happen in two weeks or even a month honestly. That’s months of neglect.”

Hancock said Rags to Riches plans to take legal action against Krutuleski.

She said authorities in Maine would not tell her where Howler was.

A spokesperson for the state animal protection program said all of the dogs have been placed in shelters and rescues and are doing well. The dogs have or will soon have completed their legal holding period and could soon be available for adoption.

Krutuleski did not respond to WABI’s request for comment and it does not appear that she has been taken into custody.

According to a complaint, Krutuleski is charged with six counts of aggravated cruelty to animals and one count of cruelty to animals.

Coastal Dreams Rescue and Sanctuary’s social media pages have been deleted.

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