AUGUSTA, Maine — A man has been charged in connection with kicking a puppy on the Kennebec River rail trail last month, according to Augusta police.

Michael Hein, 45, of Augusta was running along the rail trail and apparently kicked a puppy that a woman had been walking, according to Lt. Kevin Lully. Hein was charged with animal cruelty on Friday.





According to the woman’s complaint, Hein approached her and the dog and after a brief exchange of words, Hein passed by and kicked the dog, Lully said.

The dog suffered minor injuries.

Hein’s attorney, Scott Hess of Augusta, said in an email Monday night that Hein denies kicking the dog.

“He in no way, shape or form kicked or otherwise harmed the dog and intends to contest the matter in court,” Hess wrote. “He has confidence that once all the facts are brought to light, he will be cleared of the charge.”

Hein worked as an administrator for the Christian Civic League of Maine from June 2006 to August 2010, when he was fired.

In 2012, Hein was sentenced to seven days in jail after pleading guilty to a charge related to encouraging 15 people to falsely claim they made personal contributions to qualify him for Maine Clean Election Act funding. Hein was running for the Maine House of Representatives at the time.

A court date for Hein has not been set.