3. Cooperation between agencies. For the purposes of this section, law enforcement officers, the commissioner chief humane agent or the commissioner's chief humane agent's designee, humane agents, a state veterinarian and certified animal control officers may exchange information and reports pertaining to an investigation of cruelty to animals pursuant to Title 16, chapter 3, subchapter VIII 8.

Sec. 34. 17 MRSA §1042, sub-§3, as amended by PL 1995, c. 490, §27, is further amended to read:

3. Administration by licensed veterinarian. Administration may only be by a licensed veterinarian or by a person trained for this purpose who is certified by the commissioner chief humane agent and subject to regular observation concerning continued efficiency. A person certified under this subsection may only euthanize animals that are vested to an animal shelter. A person certified to perform euthanasia may not euthanize an animal if, by performing that euthanasia, the person is in violation of Title 32, chapter 71-A.

SUMMARY

This bill transfers the authority for enforcing the Animal Welfare Act from the Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources to the newly created chief humane agent within the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources. The chief humane agent shall report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over agricultural matters and to the Animal Welfare Advisory Council.