Buckfield Animal Control – 2025 Annual Report

In 2025, Buckfield had 202 calls for service handled by Animal Control Officer Brandon E. Holmes. Coverage in Buckfield runs on call, 24 hours a day, with response focused on public safety, humane enforcement, and responsible ownership.

2025 Call Volume

A total of 202 calls were handled in Buckfield this year. Here is how those calls broke down:

Stray or loose animals – 132
Bite investigation case activities – 26
Abandonment cases – 8
General animal control complaints – 7
Livestock at large – 7
Sick or injured animals – 7
Cruelty to animals – 5
Neglect investigations – 3
Continuing education – 2
Nuisance complaint – 1
Lost pet complaint – 1
Owner surrender – 1
Welfare check – 1
Aggressive behavior – 1

Stray and roaming animals make up the single largest category of calls in Buckfield, as they do across most of the coverage area.

Bite Investigations

Twenty-six bite investigation case activities were documented in Buckfield in 2025. Each one involves an initial report and required follow-up quarantine visits to verify the animal is confined and showing no signs of illness. Maine law requires a 10-day observation period after any bite, and documentation has to be completed before the quarantine can officially close.

Cruelty, Neglect, and Abandonment

Cruelty, neglect, and abandonment cases were handled through education and voluntary compliance where possible, with enforcement escalation when necessary. These cases require thorough documentation, follow-up visits, and coordination with shelter partners and law enforcement when the situation warrants it.

Livestock Response

Seven livestock-at-large calls were handled in Buckfield in 2025. Loose animals in the roadway are a public safety issue, and response is prioritized accordingly.

Mileage

Approximately 2,179 miles were logged on Buckfield calls in 2025, covering emergency response, shelter and veterinary transports, and compliance follow-up.