L. Ordering the defendant or, if the complaint is dismissed, the plaintiff to pay court costs or reasonable attorney's fees; or

Sec. 15. 19-A MRSA §4007, sub-§1, śM, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 and affected by Pt. E, §2, is amended to read:

M. Entering any other orders determined necessary or appropriate in the discretion of the court.; or

Sec. 16. 19-A MRSA §4007, sub-§1, śN is enacted to read:

N.__Entering an order concerning the care, custody or control of any companion animal or companion livestock owned, possessed, leased, kept or held by either party or a minor child residing in the household.

SUMMARY

This bill amends several provisions of the animal welfare laws.

1. It amends the definition sections in the animal welfare laws in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 7 and Title 17 to enact definitions for "companion livestock" and for "council" as being the Animal Welfare Advisory Council; to amend definitions for "animal shelter," "breeding kennel," "companion animal" and "foster home"; and to remove an obsolete reference to the Animal Welfare Board.

2. It repeals the surcharge currently assessed for unneutered cats and dogs sold by a breeding kennel.

3. It enacts a civil violation and a crime of endangering the welfare of a companion animal or companion livestock.

4. It amends the domestic relations laws providing relief from abuse to allow judges to write protection from abuse orders to protect both companion animals and companion livestock.