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Public Law
124th Legislature
Second Regular Session
Chapter 548
H.P. 1125 - L.D. 1587
An Act To Amend the Animal Welfare Laws
Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas,  actions to increase funds available to both the State and municipalities charged with administering and enforcing the animal welfare and dog licensing laws will benefit administration and enforcement of those laws; and
Whereas,  Public Law 2009, chapter 343, section 13 inadvertently reduced anticipated revenue to municipalities from the collection of late fees for dog licensing; and
Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.   7 MRSA §3906-B, sub-§16,  as amended by PL 2005, c. 281, §4, is further amended to read:
 
16. Animal welfare auxiliary fund.    The commissioner may accept gifts, donations, bequests, endowments, grants and matching funds from any private or public source for the purposes of ensuring the humane and proper treatment of animals and enhancing the administration and enforcement of this Part and Title 17, chapter 42. The commissioner shall deposit all funds accepted for these purposes and all proceeds from sales authorized under subsection 17 into a separate, nonlapsing account known as the animal welfare auxiliary fund. All gifts, donations, bequests, endowments, grants, proceeds and matching funds received must be used for the benefit of and accomplishment of the objectives in this Part and Title 17, chapter 42 and any gift, donation, bequest, endowment, grant or matching funds accepted with a stipulated purpose may be used only for that purpose.
 
All money deposited in the animal welfare auxiliary fund in accordance with section 1820A, subsection 4 must be used for investigating alleged cases of mistreatment or abuse of equines and enhancing enforcement of this Part and Title 17, chapter 42 as these laws pertain to equines.
Sec. 2.   7 MRSA §3906-B, sub-§17  is enacted to read:
 
17.  Fund-raising.      The commissioner may engage in the marketing and selling of general merchandise products to generate supplemental funds, which must be deposited in the animal welfare auxiliary fund established under subsection 16.
Sec. 3.   7 MRSA §3923-A, sub-§4,  as amended by PL 2009, c. 343, §13, is further amended to read:
 
4. Late fees.    An owner or keeper required to license a dog under section 3922, subsection 1 or section 3923C, subsection 1 and applying for a license for that dog after January 31st shall pay to the municipal clerk or dog recorder a late fee of $15 $25 in addition to the annual license fee paid in accordance with subsection 1 or 2 and section 3923C, subsection 1. The clerk or dog recorder shall deposit all late fees collected under this subsection into the municipality’s animal welfare account established in accordance with section 3945.
Sec. 4.   7 MRSA §4041, sub-§1-A,  as amended by PL 2007, c. 439, §29, is further amended to read:
 
1-A. Trespass.    An owner or keeper of an animal may not allow that animal to enter onto or remain on the property of another or unattended on any local, county or state road or highway after the owner or keeper has been informed by a law enforcement officer or animal control officer that that animal was found on the that property of another or on that local, county or state road or highway.
Sec. 5.   7 MRSA §4041, sub-§4,  as amended by PL 1999, c. 254, §15, is further amended to read:
 
4. Fine.    A forfeiture fine of not less than $50 nor more than $500 must be adjudged for a civil violation under subsection 3. In addition, the court may as part of the sentencing include an order of restitution for costs incurred in removing and controlling the animal. When appropriate, the court may order restitution to the property owner based on damage done and financial loss. Any restitution ordered and paid must be deducted from the amount of any judgment awarded in a civil action brought by the owner against the offender based on the same facts. When an owner or keeper violates this section 3 or more times within a 90-day period, the court shall order restitution of all costs incurred by the department in assisting an animal control officer or law enforcement officer responding to a violation of this section.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.
 
Effective March 25, 2010.