Sec. 28. 17 MRSA §1032, sub-§2, as amended by PL 1997, c. 690, §71, is further amended to read:

2. Penalty. Cruelty to birds is a Class D crime. In addition to any other penalty authorized by law, the court shall impose a fine of not less than $100 for each violation of this section. The court may increase the penalty to a Class C crime if the person 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.

SUMMARY

This bill seeks to strengthen enforcement capabilities of humane agents within the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources. It provides clearer assistance to municipal officials and individuals concerned with dangerous dogs and modifies administrative language. Specifically, the bill accomplishes the following.

1. It defines "dangerous dog," and amends the procedures for harboring dangerous dogs and subsequent violations of the laws regarding dangerous dogs.

2. It establishes an education requirement for humane agents.

3. It requires that rabies tags verifying immunization be worn by dogs.

4. It expands the provision concerning damage by animals to include all animals defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 7, section 3907, and increases the violation for failure to appear in court for a 3rd time on a civil violation.

5. It establishes a fee for submitting calf and pig scramble applications.

6. It provides that injecting, inserting or causing the ingestion of any substance used solely to enhance the performance