Meanwhile, as advocates and animal lovers across the country watch the case, the dog’s original owner says it’s ‘screwed up’ that Gov. LePage joked he should be euthanized.

The case is expected to go to the state’s highest court.

The Animal Welfare Program said it’s interested in the case because of its possible implications for animal welfare law ahead of a court hearing scheduled on Tuesday.

Route 137, also known as China Road, was shut down as crews extricated one driver, who was taken by LifeFlight helicopter to the hospital with injuries described as serious but non-life threatening.

The group behind the Winslow Family 4th of July Celebration has a meeting planned with the Clinton Lions Club next week, but time is growing short, and Winslow will not host it this year.

Gov. Paul LePage’s pardon of a 4-year-old Husky that killed another dog reflects developing legal precedence under which animals are treated less like property and more like people.

The dog was ordered euthanized after escaping confinement a year after killing another dog in Winslow.