Owner Of Sanctuary For 300 Rescued Animals Sues Maine Town Over Property Tax Dispute

A Brooks woman who provides sanctuary to formerly abused and neglected animals is suing the town for what she says is discrimination, after local officials denied her request for a property tax exemption on the property. Daniella Tessier, the executive director of the Peace Ridge Sanctuary, said that she filed the lawsuit after efforts to work with town officials broke down, specifically after a 2017 meeting with selectmen she described as belittling and misogynistic. “I feel that it’s very unfortunate,” she said.