As a member of the Maine community and a devoted pet lover, I am heartbroken and enraged by the recent theft and cruelty inflicted upon a cat, Dart. For those of us who share our lives with pets, we know that they are not just animals; they are family. Dart was a cherished member of our neighborhood, bringing joy and comfort to many.

As captured on a widely circulated video, a domestic cat named Dart was wrongfully taken from his environment, subjected to clear distress, and callously pushed out of a moving vehicle. Thanks to the quick response of local citizens and the Lewiston Police Department, Dart has thankfully been found safe and returned to his family. However, the actions captured in that footage constitute a severe violation of community safety and animal welfare standards.
Animal abuse and domestic pet theft are serious offenses that inflict immense trauma on both the animals and their owners. While we appreciate that the Lewiston Police Department has identified the individuals involved, the legal process must reflect the severity of these actions

.To the Androscoggin County District Attorney’s Office,
We, the undersigned residents of Maine and concerned animal welfare advocates, are formally petitioning your office to immediately review, approve, and process criminal charges against the individuals involved in the recent viral animal abuse incident in Lewiston. [1]
As captured on a widely circulated video, a domestic cat named Dart was wrongfully taken from his environment, subjected to severe distress, and intentionally pushed out of a moving vehicle while the occupants laughed and directed threats at the owner.  taking the formal, final step to prosecute. 
The actions documented on that tape are clear violations of Maine criminal statutes. We urge your office to aggressively pursue formal prosecution for:
Theft of a Domestic Animal (17-A M.R.S. § 353): For the unlawful taking and deprivation of a family's pet.
Cruelty to Animals (17 M.R.S. § 1031): For intentionally endangering, distressing, and abandoning an animal from a moving vehicle. 
 We are demanding that the District Attorney enforce a sentence that mandates: 
MANDATORY PSYCHOLOGICAL REHABILITATION : They must be court-ordered to undergo intensive rehabilitation to directly target and work on the severe lack of empathy and calculated cruelty they showed toward a defenseless animal.
A Strict, Permanent Ban on Owning or Living with Pets: They must be legally prohibited from owning, adopting, or even residing in a household with any animals. Because some of them currently have pets, the court must step in immediately to remove those animals and ensure no other living creature is ever left in their care.
We respectfully demand that the District Attorney’s office pursues all applicable criminal charges—including animal cruelty and theft—to the fullest extent of Maine law. We ask for a thorough, transparent resolution that holds every responsible party fully accountable for their actions.
Thank you for your time, your dedication to public safety, and your commitment to protecting the vulnerable animals in our community.

Join us in calling for action. Sign this petition to demand accountability and to ensure that Lewiston prioritizes the welfare and protection of our pets. Your voice can make a difference for Dart and many others. Let’s ensure Lewiston, Maine, becomes a place where all creatures can live safely and beloved pets are never forgotten.