LD 204
pg. 1
LD 204 Title Page An Act To Protect Dogs That Are Left Outside Page 2 of 2
Download Bill Text
LR 1296
Item 1

 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

 
Sec. 1. 7 MRSA §4015, sub-§2, ¶B, as amended by PL 1997, c. 456, §8,
is further amended to read:

 
B. Except as provided in subsection 5, shelter from
inclement weather must be as follows.

 
(1) An artificial shelter, with a minimum of 3 sides and a
waterproof roof, appropriate to the local climatic
conditions for the species concerned must be provided
as necessary for the health of the animal.

 
(2) If a dog is tied or confined unattended outdoors under
weather conditions that adversely affect the health of
the dog, a shelter, consisting of a 4-sided structure,
of suitable size with a floor above ground and
waterproof roof must be provided to accommodate the dog
and protect it from the weather and, in particular,
from severe cold. There must be a portal entry of
sufficient size to allow the animal unimpeded passage
into and out of the structure.__The portal entry must
include a baffle, or the passage of entrance must be
constructed in a manner to provide a sheltered
entrance.__The shelter must have clean bedding material
sufficient to retain the animal's normal body heat.
Inadequate shelter may be indicated by the shivering of
the dog due to cold weather for a continuous period of
30 minutes.

 
Sec. 2. 7 MRSA §4015, sub-§2, ¶D is enacted to read:

 
D.__When an animal is confined by a chain or similar device,
the chain must be attached to both the animal and the anchor
by swivels or similar devices to prevent the chain from
becoming entangled or twisted.__The chain or similar device
must be attached to a well-fitting collar or harness that
does not cut into the animal's flesh or impinge on the
animal's circulation or ability to ingest food or water or
to vocalize.__The chain must be at least 5 times the length
of the animal from the tip of its nose to the base of its
tail.

 
Sec. 3. 17 MRSA §1037, sub-§2, ¶B, as amended by PL 1997, c. 456, §18,
is further amended to read:

 
B. Except as provided in subsection 5, shelter from
inclement weather must be as follows.

 
(1) An artificial shelter, with a minimum of 3 sides and a
waterproof roof, appropriate to the local


LD 204 Title Page Top of Page Page 2 of 2