Sec. 23. 17 MRSA §1011, sub-§7, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 383, §4, is repealed.

Sec. 24. 17 MRSA §1031, sub-§1, ¶F, as amended by PL 1997, c. 456, §14, is further amended to read:

F. Keeps or leaves a domestic animal on an uninhabited or barren island lying off the coast of the State during the month of December, January, February or March without providing necessary sustenance and proper shelter; or

Sec. 25. 17 MRSA §1031, sub-§1, ¶G, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 456, §15, is amended to read:

G. Hunts or sells for the purpose of hunting any animal that is not covered by the provisions of Title 12, Part 10.; or

Sec. 26. 17 MRSA §1031, sub-§1, ¶H is enacted to read:

H.__Injects, inserts or causes ingestion of any substance used solely to enhance the performance of an animal by altering the animal's metabolism to that animal's detriment, including but not limited to excessive or unlawful levels of sodium bicarbonate in equines used for competition.

Sec. 27. 17 MRSA §1031, sub-§3, as amended by PL 1997, c. 690, §70, is further amended to read:

3. Penalty. Cruelty to animals is a Class D crime. In addition to any other penalty authorized by law, the court shall impose a fine of not less than $250 for each violation of this section. The court may order the defendant to pay the costs of the care, housing and veterinary medical treatment for the animal. The court may increase the penalty to a Class C crime if the defendant has previously been convicted of a criminal violation under this Title or if, in the opinion of the court, the act of cruelty was egregious enough to warrant a penalty of a Class C crime.

The court, as part of the sentence, may prohibit the defendant from owning, possessing or having on the defendant's premises an animal or animals as determined by the court for a period of time, up to and including permanent relinquishment, as determined by the court. A person placed on probation for a violation of this section with a condition that prohibits owning, possessing or having an animal or animals on the probationer's premises is subject to revocation of probation and removal of the animal or