Sec. 1. 7 MRSA §3952-A is enacted to read:

§3952-A.__Complaints regarding potentially dangerous dogs

1.__Filing of complaint.__A sheriff, local law enforcement officer or animal control officer may file a complaint in District Court alleging that a dog is a potentially dangerous dog if the__sheriff, law enforcement officer or animal control officer has reason to believe that the dog poses a threat of serious injury to a person or has been trained, tormented or encouraged to attack a person without provocation.

2.__Court determination.__If, upon hearing, the court finds that the dog does pose a threat of serious injury to a person or has been trained, tormented or encouraged to attack a person without provocation, the court shall declare the dog to be a potentially dangerous dog and order the owner or keeper of the dog to confine the dog in accordance with the requirements established in subsection 3.__In making a determination, the court may request that the dog be evaluated by a licensed veterinarian or, upon recommendation of a licensed veterinarian, by a licensed dog breeder or professional dog handler.

3. Confinement of potentially dangerous dog.__The owner or keeper of a dog determined by the court to be a potentially dangerous dog in accordance with this section shall confine the dog as provided in this subsection.__The owner or keeper shall:

A.__Display in a conspicuous manner a sign on the premises warning that a potentially dangerous dog is on the premises.__ The sign must be visible and legible from a distance of 50 feet from the enclosure required under paragraph B;

B.__Except as provided in paragraph C, confine the dog to an enclosure that has sound sides, top and bottom to prevent the potentially dangerous dog from escaping by climbing, jumping or digging.__The enclosure must be within a fence of at least 6 feet in height and the fence must be at least 3 feet from the enclosure.__The enclosure must be locked to prevent entry by the general public and to preclude release or escape of the dog; and

C. If the dog is not in the enclosure, securely muzzle and restrain the dog with a tether having a tensile strength sufficient to prevent escape and of a length that restricts the dog's movements to a radius of no more than 3 feet from