Maine Animal Coalition: Maine Animal Law - New Animal Laws in 2007

Maine Animal Law: New Animal Laws in 2007

Significant Changes to Maine`s Animal Welfare Laws in 2007

Dog or Cat Vendor`s License 7 MRSA section 4163
A person may not advertise for sale, sell or exchange for value more than one cat or dog in a twelve month period unless that person has a valid animal shelter, kennel, breeding kennel or pet shop license or a valid vendor`s license. A vendor`s license can be obtain from the Department of Agriculture. The fee is $25 and the license is good fro 60 days. The vendor license number must be included in any form of advertising, brochure or sign that announces the availability of a dog or cat for sale or exchange. The vendor`s name and license number must be provided to a person purchasing or otherwise receiving the dog or cat from the vendor. A person who fails to comply with this section commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $200 may be adjudged.

Minimum Age of Transfer for Cats and Dogs 7 M.R.S.A sec 3938-A
A person or an animal shelter, boarding kennel, breeding kennel or pet shop that sells, gives away or otherwise transfers ownership of a dog or cat before it has reached its 56th day of life commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $200 may be adjudged.

Spay/Neuter of Dogs and Cats 7 MRSA sec.3939-A
Except for medical reasons, an animal shelter or rescue group may not place with a new owner a dog or cat that has not been spayed or neutered unless an appointment has been made with a licensed veterinarian to spay or neuter the animal within 30 days of accepting ownership. A person who accepts ownership of a dog or cat that is unaltered shall, in addition to any other charges or other fees, make a deposit equal to 100% of the cost of the scheduled surgery with the animal shelter or rescue group and shall sign a spay-neuter agreement. The animal shelter or rescue group must refund the deposit upon receiving proof of sterilization. Failure to comply with the law may result in fines to either the shelter or new owner of not less than $50 or more than $200.

Procedure for Acceptance and Disposition of Stray Cats by Animal Shelter 7 MRSA section 3919A-2
Shelters shall hold unidentified or feral cats for 48 hours before offering them for adoption or disposing of the cat humanely. (Previously unidentified or feral cats had to be held for no less than 24 hours.)

Euthanasia for Seriously Sick or Severely Injured Cat 7 MRSA section 3919-A 4.
Cats can no longer be immediately euthanized just because they are extremely vicious.

Security Deposit for Seizure of Animals Relating to Cruelty to Animals 17 MRSA sec. 1027
When an animal is lawfully seized or impounded because of cruelty or neglect, if the owner wishes to contest the court order the owner must petition the court for a show cause hearing. The petition must be filed within 10 days of the date that the seizure occurred. Failure to do so means forfeiture of the animal. The court must hold a hearing within 10 days. The court may order the person from whom an animal is seized to post a security deposit. The security deposit must be in an amount sufficient to pay for all reasonable expenses for maintaining custody of the animal for at least 30 days. Failure to post the security deposit as ordered will result in immediate forfeiture of the seized animal.

An Act to Enhance Protection Against Rabies in Wolf Hybrids 22 M.R.S.A. sec. 1313
This amendment clarifies that the provisions for removing or euthanizing a wolf hybrid suspected of having rabies when the animal has bitten someone or the animal may have otherwise exposed a person or domestic animal to rabies. The wolf hybrid, even if vaccinated as now required by law, shall be immediately euthanized for testing.

An Act to Protect Household Pets and Other Animals from Poisoning 10 MRSA sec. 2630
This law makes it illegal to sell in Maine any coolant or antifreeze unless it contains a bittering agent to make it unpalatable to animals. However, the bill does not take effect until one year after three other northeast states in addition to Maine have enacted laws that also prohibit the sale of coolant or antifreeze without a bittering agent

Significant Changes to Maine`s Fish and Game Laws in 2007

An Act Concerning the Taking of Nuisance Animals 12 M.R.S. A. section 1240 2.
This law allows a person to kill up to two will animals or wild turkeys or 3 deer annually on that persons property if a game warden issues a permit because of crop damage. If a person kills more than 2 wild animals or wild turkeys or 3 deer, the carcasses of the deer, bear, moose or wild turkey killed must be distributed to recipients authorized through the Hunters for the Hungry Program or as otherwise authorized by the game warden.

An Act to Extend the Coyote Night Hunting Season. 12 MRSA sec. 12001 1
This law creates an open season for hunting coyotes at night in all counties of the State from January 1st until June 1st.

An Act to Enhance the Wise Use and Sound Management of Maine`s Wildlife Resources
This law establishes the Black Bear Research Fund (12 MRSA section 10260). Revenues for the fund will be generated by a bear trapping permit (12 MRSA section 12260-A), and nonresident late season bear hunting permit (12 MRSA section 11151-A.) The law also prohibits intentional wasting of wounded or killed game animals. ``Wasting`` is defined as intentionally leaving a wounded or killed animal in the field or forest without making a reasonable effort to retrieve and render it for consumption or use. (12 MRSA section 11224)

An Act to Amend Certain Animal Health Laws 7 MRSA section 1809
This bill adds fertile avian eggs to the list of imported animals requiring importation permits. It defines the term ``avian hatching egg`` as an egg of a bird species that is fertile and handled. Transported and stored in a manner that maintains its viability. It does not include fertile eggs marketed for human consumption.

RESOLVES

Resolve, Directing the Commissioners of Labor to Convene a Task Force to Evaluate and Recommend Revisions to the Definition of Service Dog
The task force shall recommend proposed changes to the statutory definition of service dogs and proposed revisions to the statutes to clarify the rights and protections for people who use service animals.

Resolve, To Develop and Promote Enhanced Humane Livestock Handling and Slaughter Practices
The Department of Agriculture is to put on a workshop conducted by an animal behaviorist specializing in the design of slaughtering facilities and methods of slaughtering to enhance humane livestock handling and slaughtering facilities licensed under 22 MRSA section 2514. The Department of Agriculture shall develop enhanced voluntary humane handling and slaughter guidelines, to be know as ``Maine Humane`` and report on the guideline to the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry no later than January 2, 2008. Future implementation of the guidelines is to be voluntary. The Agriculture Development Fund shall give priority to applicants seeking funds to modify or to construct slaughterhouses that comply with the voluntary guidelines.