Maine Animal Coalition: Maine Animal Law - New Animal Laws 2006

Maine Animal Law: New Animal Laws 2006

An Act Amending the Animal Welfare Laws
Bill Number: LD 1881 (HP 1321)
Sponsor: Representative John Piotti
Signed into law on March 31,2006, and will take effect on August 23, 2006.
Titles Affected: 7 M.R.S.A. 3907(5-A),(7),(8-A),(11-B),(12-B), 3910-B(1),3931-A(4), 19-A M.R.S.A. 4007(1)(L),(M), and (N), and 4011(2), 17-A M.R.S.A. 1011(5-A)and (8-A).

LD 1881 amends the following definitions of the Maine Animal Welfare Act to read:

The definition of Animal shelter, contained in 7 MRSA §3907, sub-§5-A, is amended to read:"Animal shelter" means a facility that houses animals and operates for the purpose of providing stray, abandoned, abused or owner-surrendered animals with sanctuary or finding the animals temporary or permanent adoptive homes.

The definition of Breeding Kennel, contained in 7 MRSA §3907, sub-§8-A, is amended to read: "Breeding Kennel" means a location where 5 or more adult dogs, wolf hybrids or cats capable of breeding are kept and some or all of the offspring are offered for sale, sold or exchanged for value.

Protecting animal and human victims of domestic violence with amendment to Maine's Protection from Abuse laws:

Maine appears to have been the first state in the country to enact this type of law. Maine District Court judges now have statutory authority to enter orders for "the care, custody or control of any animal owned, possessed, leased, kept or held by either party or a minor child residing in the household."

The law is important because it addresses the problem of human victims of domestic violence who do not want to leave pets behind as they flee from abusive homes. Victims can now ask the judge to enter an order so that he or she can take the animals with them or find temporary housing for the animals.