BELFAST, Maine (WABI) – A trial began Wednesday in Waldo County with a warning from the district attorney that jurors would be exposed to difficult subject matter in an animal cruelty case against a Burnham woman.
Waldo County District Attorney Natasha Irving called the case “shocking” and told jurors to prepare themselves before opening statements.
Alexis Ingraham, 41, of Burnham, is charged with four counts of cruelty to animals. Two of the counts are aggravated, stemming from the death of a horse named Shine, who Irving said suffered from an infection so severe the animal had to be euthanized.
Day one testimony focused on dogs found on property
Wednesday’s proceedings centered on animals found on Ingraham’s property in February 2025. Witnesses said dogs and puppies were living outside without proper shelter in cold and snowy conditions. Burnham’s then-animal control officer said some appeared malnourished.
Much of the testimony focused on a six-month-old puppy named Patch, who a witness said she found cold and nearly lifeless inside a livestock trailer.
“It’s going to be a difficult case to get through,” Irving said. “I think that that’s objectively clear that this is going to be difficult and you’re going to see some subject matter that is going to be difficult and I hope you all take care of yourselves through this. We’re going to take care of ourselves through this. And at the end of the day, I’m going to ask you to come back with a verdict of guilty and find Alexis Ingraham guilty of aggravated cruelty to animals and cruelty to animals for what she did and what she didn’t do. For her depraved indifference, her outrageous and brutal and revolting and shocking conduct to these animals and what it caused them. The severe pain, the death, or the torture of any of them.”
Defense suggests caretaker responsible for animals’ condition
Defense attorney Jeffrey Toothaker declined to give an opening statement. During cross-examination of the first witness, Katlyn Davidson, Toothaker suggested Davidson was responsible for the poor condition of the animals. Davidson was looking after Ingraham’s farm when she said she found the animals.
Toothaker also argued the breeds of the dogs in question were intended for outdoor living.
According to court documents, four dogs and 10 cats, all in poor health, were ultimately removed from the property.
Testimony on Thursday is expected to focus on horses that were in Ingraham’s care. The trial is expected to last through Friday.
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