Brewer Man Who Dragged Dog Behind Vehicle Gets 118 Days In Jail

A local man accused of dragging a 6-month-old pit bull behind his vehicle on Wilson Street in Brewer in June pleaded no contest to a charge of animal cruelty on Thursday.

Jeffrey Mayhew, 31, also pleaded guilty to three unrelated charges: operating under the influence of intoxicants, violation of a condition of release and unlawful possession of scheduled drugs, according to a report from the Bangor Daily News.

In a plea agreement with Penobscot County Assistant District Attorney Susan Pope, Mayhew was sentenced to 118 days in the Penobscot County Jail and ordered to pay $1,000 in fines and more than $230 in restitution to the city of Brewer.

Mayhew is also no longer allowed to own a dog, including 9-month-old Phoenix, the puppy that was dragged behind Mayhew's vehicle on June 28.

The dog suffered abrasions to its chest, hindquarters and paws in the incident.

An individual has agreed to adopted the dog, which has since recovered from its injuries and has been in the custody of the Bangor Humane Society.

Robert Van Horn of Ellsworth, Mayhew's attorney, said his client did not intentionally drag the dog behind his vehicle.

“My client visited a friend that day, and because it was summer, he tied the dog to the back bumper,” Van Horn said. “He hurried out, drove off and forgot about the dog. There is no evidence he wanted to hurt the dog.”

The judge agreed but said that by driving off with the dog tied to his bumper, Mayhew was negligent.