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animals or 3 companion animals and 3 unweaned litters of stray, | abandoned, abused or owner-surrendered companion animals in a | calendar year. |
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| | Sec. 8. 7 MRSA §3910-B, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2005, c. 281, §5, is | further amended to read: |
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| | 1. Establishment. There is established the Companion Animal | Sterilization Fund, an interest-bearing account, referred to in | this section as "the fund." The fund receives money deposited by | the Treasurer of State pursuant to Title 36, section 5284-A, | revenues generated in accordance with this section, all revenue | from the surcharges collected under section 3931-A, subsection 4 | and section 3933, subsection 4, money transferred from the Animal | Welfare Fund in accordance with section 3906-B, subsection 2 and | any money contributed voluntarily to the fund. All money | deposited in the fund and the earnings on that money remain in | the fund to be used for the spaying or neutering of companion | animals owned by persons meeting income limit standards and for | the necessary administrative and personnel costs associated with | the management of the fund and may not be deposited in the | General Fund or any other fund except as specifically provided by | law. |
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| | Sec. 9. 7 MRSA §3931-A, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 2005, c. 281, §6, is | repealed. |
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| | Sec. 10. 7 MRSA §4019 is enacted to read: |
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| | 1.__Endangerment.__A person is guilty of endangering the | welfare of a companion animal or companion livestock if that | person: |
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| A.__Knowingly or recklessly acts in a manner likely to be | injurious to the physical welfare of a companion animal or | companion livestock; or |
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| B.__Is an owner or keeper legally charged with the care or | custody of a companion animal or companion livestock and | fails or refuses to exercise reasonable diligence, care or | control in any action that places in jeopardy the physical | well-being of the companion animal or companion livestock. |
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| | 2.__Husbandry practices excepted.__This section may not be | construed to prohibit normal and accepted practices of animal | husbandry. |
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