Biddeford man abandoned cat and dog inside foreclosed home, police say

MAINE -- A Biddeford man abandoned a cat and dog in a home he vacated last month, trapping the animals inside without food or water, police say.

Bruce W. Friedel, 61, of Biddeford faces charges related to cruelty to animals after police allegedly rescued the injured and malnourished pets from the home at 1 Joshua Drive.

Friedel and his wife were the owners and last known inhabitants of the Joshua Drive home, allegedly leaving it behind on Sept. 17 after the property was foreclosed upon.

On Oct. 1, the city of Biddeford’s animal control officer received a tip that two or possibly three animals were left behind at the home, and officers were sent to investigate, according to a Monday news release by Deputy Biddeford Police Chief JoAnne Fisk.

“As officers entered the 1 Joshua Drive property, they were overwhelmed by an overpowering smell of urine, feces and filth,” said Fisk in the news release.

“The floor inside the property was covered with over a dozen piles of feces, [and] puddles of urine were also observed over the floors. What would once have been a litter box was overrun with cat feces. There was no evidence of any water or food for the animals that was recognizable as animal food.”

Police discovered a white-and-brown terrier, weighing between 20 and 30 pounds, as well as a gray tiger cat allegedly walking with a significant hind leg limp.

“The dog had a very obvious skin issue as large patches of red and irritated skin, along with missing hair, was observed. The dog was clearly emaciated from lack of food and water,” said Fisk.

The animals were taken to a veterinary clinic, where the cat was found to have had a broken femur or pelvis injury that had been left untreated, as well as fleas. Veterinarians diagnosed the dog with yeast and fungal infections on its skin, as well as significant malnourishment.

“The dog was fearful of people and needed to be muzzled for safety reasons,” Fisk said. “As the veterinarian went to remove the muzzle a tooth fell out due to a case of advanced gum disease.”

After being examined at the clinic, the animals were taken to the Kennebunk Animal Welfare Society.

Friedel is due to appear in Biddeford District Court on Dec. 17, according to police.

(Bangor Daily News - Oct 27, 2014)