ELLSWORTH– It’s been almost a year since the killing of a pug-terrier mix named Franky and folks in Ellsworth are still waiting for his killers to face justice.
On Friday morning, nearly a dozen dog-loving members of the Justice for Franky group rallied outside halls of the Hancock County Courthouse.
“We want to try to right an injustice, I think that these two should be held accountable for their actions. And it’s been a year and we’re still waiting. We just want to make sure people don’t forget what happened to Franky. I think it’s important that again we address this and people be held accountable for their actions,” Justice for Franky member Susan Cirard said.
Franky was a 6-year-old pug-Boston terrier mix who was taken on Aug. 24 of last year from the home of six-generation lobsterman Phil Torrey.
The dog’s severely injured and shot body washed ashore in nearby Hancock a couple of days later wrapped in seven layers of black plastic.
Nathan Burke, 38, of Hancock and Justin Chipman, 22, of Steuben and Winter Harbor are each facing five charges in the dog’s death — burglary, theft, unauthorized use of property, aggravated criminal mischief and aggravated cruelty to animals.
Chipman was scheduled to go to trial near the end of May but his appearance was postponed and currently, there are no new court dates scheduled for either of the men.
“I understand that the legal system has to do what they have to do. But again we don’t want it to get swept under the rug because the longer things go by, people forget about them. This is something you really shouldn’t forget about,” Cirard said.
Group members said they won’t rest until Burke and Chipman are behind bars and they will be at every court hearing until it’s over.
