An Act To Make Post-conviction Possession of Animals by Certain Persons a Criminal Offense
Sec. 1. 17 MRSA §1031, sub-§3-B, ¶B, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. I, §20 and affected by Pt. X, §2, is repealed.
Sec. 2. 17 MRSA §1031, sub-§3-B, ¶C, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. I, §20 and affected by Pt. X, §2, is amended to read:
Sec. 3. 17 MRSA §1031, sub-§3-B, ¶¶D, E and F are enacted to read:
(1) May prohibit a defendant convicted of a Class D crime under this section from owning, possessing or having on the defendant's premises an animal for a period of time that the court determines to be reasonable, up to and including permanent relinquishment;
(2) Shall prohibit a defendant convicted of a Class C crime under this section from owning, possessing or having on the defendant's premises an animal for a period of at least 5 years, up to and including permanent relinquishment;
(3) May impose any other reasonable restrictions on a defendant's future ownership or custody of an animal as determined by the court to be necessary for the protection of animals, including but not limited to reasonable restrictions on future ownership, possession or custody and prohibiting the person from employment that involves the care of animals or any other contact with animals; and
(4) May order as a condition of probation that probationer be evaluated to determine the need for psychiatric or psychological counseling and, if it is determined to be appropriate by the court, receive psychiatric or psychological counseling at the defendant's expense.
Upon motion by the defendant and upon completion of conditions specified in an order entered under this paragraph, the court may reduce or modify restrictions or conditions imposed under this paragraph.