Full Statute Name:  Maine Revised Statutes Annotated. Title 7. Agriculture and Animals. Part 9. Animal Welfare. Chapter 727. Dangerous Dogs; Chapter 729. Damage by Animals

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Primary Citation:  7 M. R. S. A. § 3951 - 3955; 7 M. R. S. A. § 3961 - 3964; 7 M. R. S. A. § 3907 Country of Origin:  United States Last Checked:  November, 2023 Alternate Citation:  ME ST T. 7 § 3951 - 3955; ME ST T. 7 § 3961 - 3964; ME ST T.7 § 3907 Historical: 
Summary: This Maine statutory sections outlines the state's dangerous dog laws. It first provides that any person may lawfully kill a dog if necessary to protect that person, another person or a domesticated animal during the course of a sudden, unprovoked assault. A person who owns or keeps a dangerous dog commits a civil violation for which the court shall adjudge a fine of not less than $250 and not more than $1,000. The dog may be ordered to be muzzled, or euthanized if it has killed, maimed or inflicted serious bodily injury upon a person or has a history of a prior assault. Notably, if a dog whose owner refuses or neglects to comply with the order wounds any person by a sudden assault or wounds or kills any domestic animal, the owner shall pay the person injured treble damages and costs to be recovered by a civil action. The statute sets out the specific procedure for declaring a dog dangerous and the statutory definition of dangerous is also provided by reference to a companion statute.

Chapter 727. Dangerous Dogs

§ 3951 . Killing for assault permitted

§ 3952 . Keeping a dangerous dog - § 3952. Repealed. Laws 2017, c. 404, § 11, eff. Aug. 1, 2018 

§ 3952-A. Keeping a dangerous dog or a nuisance dog

§ 3953 . Stealing, injuring or killing dogs

§ 3954. Prohibitions on dangerous dogs and nuisance dogs

§ 3955. Leaving the scene of an assault by a dog that causes an injury that requires medical attention for a person

Chapter 729. Damage by Animals.

§ 3961 . Reimbursement for damage done by animals

§ 3961-A . Attack on service animal

§ 3962. Repealed. Laws 1993, c. 468, § 18

§ 3962-A . Penalty for damage to livestock or pets by animals

§ 3963 . Joint and several liability

§ 3964. Repealed. Laws 1995, c. 351, § 4

Chapter 717. Animal Welfare Act

§ 3907 . Definitions

 

 

Chapter 727. Dangerous Dogs

§ 3951. Killing for assault permitted

Any person may lawfully kill a dog if necessary to protect that person, another person or a domesticated animal during the course of a sudden, unprovoked assault.

CREDIT(S)

1987, c. 383, § 3; 1997, c. 690, § 34.


 

§ 3952. Keeping a dangerous dog - § 3952. Repealed. Laws 2017, c. 404, § 11, eff. Aug. 1, 2018

 

§ 3952-A. Keeping a dangerous dog or a nuisance dog

A person who owns or keeps a dog determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be a dangerous dog or a nuisance dog commits a civil violation for which the court shall adjudge a fine of not less than $250 and not more than $5,000, plus costs, none of which may be suspended. All fines, other than costs, must be paid to the municipality where the dog resides pursuant to section 3910-A and be placed in the municipality's animal welfare account established in accordance with section 3945.

1. Procedure. A person who is assaulted or threatened with bodily injury by a dog or a person witnessing such an assault or threatened assault against a person or domesticated animal or a person with knowledge of such an assault or threatened assault against a minor, or a person whose property or crops have been damaged by a dog, within 30 days of the incident, may make written complaint to the sheriff, local law enforcement officer or animal control officer that the dog is a dangerous dog or a nuisance dog. For the purposes of this chapter, “domesticated animal” includes, but is not limited to, livestock as defined in section 3907, subsection 18-A.

A representative of the sheriff's department, a local law enforcement officer or an animal control officer appointed by the municipality shall investigate and document the complaint. Upon completion of the investigation of the complaint, the investigator may issue a civil violation summons for keeping a dangerous dog or a nuisance dog.

All records of the outcome of the investigation must be kept by the municipality for the life of the dog, plus 2 years.

2. Dangerous dog finding. If, upon hearing, the court finds that a dog is a dangerous dog, the court shall impose a fine and may order any one or more of the following that the court determines is appropriate:

A. Order the dog to be euthanized if the court finds that the dog:

(1) Has killed, maimed or inflicted serious bodily injury upon a person or has a history of a prior assault or a prior finding by the court of being a dangerous dog; and

(2) Presents a clear threat to public safety;

B. Order that the owner or keeper of the dog, if that person has previously been adjudicated of having violated this section, may not own, possess or have on that person's premises any dogs for a period of time, which may be permanent;

C. Order the owner or keeper of the dog, if the owner or keeper is allowed to keep the dog, or any other person keeping the dog, to post dangerous dog signs, visible from all directions and provided by the department, around the entrance of the premises where the dog resides and to notify in writing any service provider that has a reasonable expectation to be on the property that the dog has been determined to be a dangerous dog. The owner or keeper is responsible for the cost of the signs;

D. Order the dog confined in a secure enclosure. For the purposes of this paragraph, “secure enclosure” means a fence or structure of at least 6 feet in height forming or making an enclosure suitable to prevent the entry of young children and suitable to confine a dangerous dog in conjunction with other measures that may be taken by the owner or keeper. The secure enclosure must be locked, be designed with secure sides and be designed to prevent the animal from escaping from the enclosure. The enclosure may also be designed with a secure top and bottom if determined necessary by the court. The court shall specify the length of the period of confinement and may order permanent confinement;

E. Order that the owner or keeper of a dog confined to a secure enclosure pursuant to paragraph D may not allow the dog outside of the secure enclosure unless:

(1) It is necessary to obtain veterinary care for the dog or to comply with orders of the court; and

(2) The dog is securely muzzled with a basket-style muzzle, restrained by a leash not more than 3 feet in length with a minimum tensile strength of 300 pounds and under the direct control of the dog owner or keeper;

F. Order the dog to be securely muzzled with a basket-style muzzle, restrained by a leash not more than 3 feet in length with a minimum tensile strength of 300 pounds and under the direct control of the dog owner or keeper whenever the dog is off the owner's or keeper's premises;

G. Order the dog to be spayed or neutered;

H. Order the dog to be microchipped within 60 days of the court order;

I. Order the owner or keeper of the dog to obtain a minimum of $100,000 in liability insurance for the life of the dog;

J. Order the owner or keeper of the dog to have the dog evaluated by a certified canine behaviorist or certified dog trainer and to attend dog training classes; and

K. Order the owner or keeper of the dog to immediately notify the sheriff, a local law enforcement officer or an animal control officer if the dog escapes.

The court may order restitution in accordance with Title 17-A, chapter 69 for any damages inflicted upon a person or a person's property by a dog determined to be a dangerous dog under this subsection.

3. Nuisance dog finding. If, upon hearing, the court finds that a dog is a nuisance dog, the court shall impose a fine and may impose any of the penalties set forth in subsection 2, paragraphs F to K. A dog may be determined by a court to be a nuisance dog only once. After 2 years from the date of the court order finding that the dog is a nuisance dog, the owner or keeper may petition the court to amend or reduce any of the restrictions placed on the dog. The court may amend or reduce the restrictions placed on the dog if the owner or keeper demonstrates to the satisfaction of the court that the owner or keeper has complied with the court order and the dog no longer poses a risk as a nuisance dog.

4. Identification and confinement of other dogs. In addition to orders imposed pursuant to subsections 2 and 3, the court may order that the owner or keeper of a dangerous dog or a nuisance dog:

A. Provide the animal control officer in the municipality where the dangerous dog or nuisance dog is kept with photographs and descriptions of other dogs kept by that owner or keeper including the sex, breed, age, identifying markings and microchip numbers of each dog; and

B. Confine any other dogs kept on the owner's or keeper's premises as provided in subsection 2, paragraphs D and E.

5. Failure to abide by court order. If the owner or keeper of a dog willfully fails to comply with any provision of a court order imposed pursuant to subsection 2, 3 or 4, the court shall find the owner or keeper in contempt.

If the court order imposed pursuant to subsection 2, paragraph A is not complied with within the time set by the court, the court may, upon application by the complainant under subsection 1 or other person, issue a warrant to the sheriff or any of the sheriff's deputies or to a local law enforcement officer or constable in the municipality where the dog is found, commanding the officer to have the dog humanely euthanized and make a return of the warrant to the court within 14 days from the date of the warrant.

The owner or keeper must be ordered to pay all costs of supplementary proceedings and all reasonable costs for seizure and euthanasia of the dog.

6. Dogs presenting immediate or continuing threat to public. After issuing a summons pursuant to subsection 1 and before hearing, if the dog poses an immediate or continuing threat to the public, a sheriff, local law enforcement officer or animal control officer shall give a written order requiring the owner or keeper of the dog to muzzle with a basket-style muzzle, restrain or confine the dog to the owner's or keeper's premises or to have the dog confined at the owner's or keeper's expense at a place determined by the sheriff, local law enforcement officer or animal control officer. If an owner or keeper of a dog fails to comply with the written order, the sheriff, local law enforcement officer or animal control officer may apply to the District Court, the Superior Court or a justice of the peace for an ex parte order for authorization to take possession of the dog that poses an immediate or continuing threat to the public and turn the dog over to the applicant or other suitable person.

A dog owner or keeper who fails to abide by the written order commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $50 and not more than $200 may be adjudged for each day of noncompliance.

7. Ex parte. An order may be entered ex parte upon findings by the court or justice of the peace when:

A. The dog has inflicted serious bodily injury; or

B. There is a reasonable likelihood that the dog is dangerous or vicious and:

(1) Its owner has failed to muzzle, restrain or confine the dog; and

(2) That failure poses an immediate threat of harm to the public.

8. Modify order. An order under subsection 7 may be modified by the court.

A. Upon 2 days' notice or a shorter period the court may prescribe, the owner or keeper whose dog has been possessed pursuant to an ex parte order may appear in the District Court or the Superior Court and move for the dissolution or modification of the ex parte order.

B. The court shall hear and determine the motion, and the hearing may be advanced on the docket and receive priority over other cases when the court determines that the interests of justice so require.

C. The owner or keeper shall submit an affidavit setting forth specific facts to substantiate the modification or dissolution of the order. The applicant has the burden of presenting evidence to substantiate the original findings.

9. Lien. Any person taking possession of a dog as provided in this section has a lien on that dog in accordance with Title 17, section 1021, subsection 6.

10. Treble damages. If a dog whose owner or keeper refuses or neglects to comply with an order under this section wounds any person by a sudden assault or wounds or kills any domesticated animal, the owner or keeper shall pay the person injured treble damages and costs to be recovered by a civil action.

11. Class D crime. If the owner or keeper of a dog refuses or neglects to comply with an order issued under subsection 2, 3, 4 or 7, the owner or keeper commits a Class D crime. The court, as part of the judgment, may prohibit a person convicted under this subsection from owning or possessing a dog or having a dog on that person's premises for a period of time. The prohibition may be permanent.

12. Duty of owner or keeper to notify. The owner or keeper of a dog determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be a dangerous dog or a nuisance dog shall notify the municipality in which the dog resides in writing and within 30 days if ownership of the dog is transferred, the residence of the dog is changed or the dog is deceased.

Credits

2017, c. 404, § 12, eff. Aug. 1, 2018; 2019, c. 113, § C-2, eff. May 16, 2019

 

§ 3953. Stealing, injuring or killing dogs

Except as provided in section 3951 and Title 12, section 12404, and unless the killing is justified to protect persons or property, a person who steals, confines or secretes, willfully or negligently injures or willfully or negligently kills a dog is liable in damages to the dog's owner in a civil action.

CREDIT(S)

1987, c. 383, § 3; 1997, c. 690, § 37; 2003, c. 414, § B-13; 2003, c. 614, § 9.

 

§ 3954. Prohibitions on dangerous dogs and nuisance dogs

1. Prohibitions. A person may not:

A. Repealed. Laws 2019, c. 95, § 1, eff. Sept. 19, 2019.

B. Transfer ownership of a dog determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be a dangerous dog without the permission of the court, unless the transfer is to an animal control officer or an animal shelter that has a contract with a municipality to euthanize the dog for the municipality; or

C. Tether a dog determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be a dangerous dog or a nuisance dog.

2. Penalty. A person who violates subsection 1 commits a civil violation for which a fine not to exceed $100 may be adjudged in addition to court costs.

Credits

2017, c. 404, § 13, eff. Aug. 1, 2018; 2019, c. 95, § 1, eff. Sept. 19, 2019.

 

 

§ 3955. Leaving the scene of an assault by a dog that causes an injury that requires medical attention for a person

1. Required actions by owner or keeper. The owner or keeper of a dog that assaults a person and causes an injury that requires medical attention shall comply with the requirements of this section before leaving the scene of the assault:

A. The owner or keeper shall secure aid for the injured person, including, as appropriate, securing medical assistance and reporting the assault to the local law enforcement agency;

B. After securing aid for the injured person, the owner or keeper may leave the scene on a temporary basis in order to contain the dog that assaulted the person; and

C. After securing aid for the injured person and containing the dog that assaulted the person, the owner or keeper shall provide the owner's or keeper's name, current address and contact information to the injured person, a person acting for the injured person or a law enforcement officer.

2. Violation. A violation of this section is a Class D crime.

Credits

2019, c. 134, § 1, eff. Sept. 19, 2019.

 

 

Chapter 729. Damage by Animals.

§ 3961. Reimbursement for damage done by animals

1. Injuries and damages by animal. When an animal damages a person or that person's property due to negligence of the animal's owner or keeper, the owner or keeper of that animal is liable in a civil action to the person injured for the amount of damage done if the damage was not occasioned through the fault of the person injured.

2. Injuries by dog. Notwithstanding subsection 1, when a dog injures a person who is not on the owner's or keeper's premises at the time of the injury, the owner or keeper of the dog is liable in a civil action to the person injured for the amount of the damages. Any fault on the part of the person injured may not reduce the damages recovered for physical injury to that person unless the court determines that the fault of the person injured exceeded the fault of the dog's keeper or owner.

CREDIT(S)

1987, c. 383, § 3; 1999, c. 254, § 8; 2001, c. 220, § 1.

 

§ 3961-A. Attack on service animal

A person who owns or keeps a dog that attacks, injures or kills a service animal or assistance animal while the service animal or assistance animal is in discharge of its duties commits a civil violation for which a forfeiture of not more than $1,000 may be adjudged.

When a person is adjudicated of a violation of this section, the court shall order the person to make restitution to the owner of the service animal or assistance animal for any veterinary bills and necessary retraining costs or replacement costs of the service animal or assistance animal if it is disabled or killed.

For the purposes of this section, “service animal” has the same meaning as set forth in Title 5, section 4553, subsection 9-E. For the purposes of this section, “assistance animal” has the same meaning as set forth in Title 5, section 4553, subsection 1-H.

Credits
2001, c. 220, § 2; 2007, c. 664, § 13; 2011, c. 369, § 4; 2015, c. 457, § 6, eff. July 29, 2016.

 

§ 3962. Repealed. Laws 1993, c. 468, § 18


 

§ 3962-A. Penalty for damage to livestock or pets by animals

1. Violation. Except as provided in subsection 3, the owner or keeper of an animal that due to negligence of the animal's owner or keeper kills or injures livestock, poultry, domestic rabbits or pets commits a civil violation for which a forfeiture not to exceed $100 may be adjudged in addition to costs.

2. Additional remedy. A person who suffers damage as a result of a violation of subsection 1 may also pursue a civil action against the owner or keeper of the animal pursuant to section 3961.

3. Exception. If the owner or keeper of an animal that kills or injures another animal establishes that the animal that was killed or injured provoked the killing or injury or that the animal that committed the killing or injury was leashed or controlled on the owner's or keeper's property at the time of the killing or injury, then the owner or keeper is not liable under this section or section 3961.

CREDIT(S)

1993, c. 468, § 19; 1995, c. 351, § 2; 1999, c. 254, § 9.

 

§ 3963. Joint and several liability

If any properly enclosed livestock, poultry , domestic rabbits or pets are killed or injured by 2 or more dogs at the same time and the dogs are kept by 2 or more owners or keepers, the owners or keepers are jointly and severally liable for the damage.

CREDIT(S)

1987, c. 383, § 3; 1995, c. 351, § 3.

 

§ 3964. Repealed. Laws 1995, c. 351, § 4

 

Title 7. Agriculture and Animals. Part 9. Animal Welfare. Chapter 717. Animal Welfare Act.     

§ 3907. Definitions. [edited] 

As used in this Part, and in every law relating to or affecting animals, unless the context indicates otherwise, the following terms have the following meanings.

 * * *

6. At large. “At large” means off the premises of the owner and not under the control of any person whose personal presence and attention would reasonably control the conduct of the animal.

* * *

8-B. Bodily injury. “Bodily injury” has the same meaning as in Title 17-A, section 2, subsection 5.

* * *

12-C. Dog. “Dog” means a member of the genus and species known as canis familiaris, except that in chapters 720, 721, 725, 727, 729 and 739 “dog” means a member of the genus and species known as canis familiaris or any canine, regardless of generation, resulting from the interbreeding of a member of canis familiaris with a wolf hybrid.

12-D. Dangerous dog. “Dangerous dog” means a dog or wolf hybrid that causes the death of or inflicts serious bodily injury on an individual or a domesticated animal who is not trespassing on the dog or wolf hybrid owner's or keeper's premises at the time of the injury or death; a dog or wolf hybrid that causes a reasonable and prudent person who is not on the dog or wolf hybrid owner's or keeper's premises and is acting in a reasonable and nonaggressive manner to fear imminent serious bodily injury by assaulting or threatening to assault that individual or individual's domesticated animal; or a dog or wolf hybrid that inflicts bodily injury on an individual or a domesticated animal who is not trespassing on the dog or wolf hybrid owner's or keeper's premises at the time of the injury and has previously been determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be a nuisance dog.

“Dangerous dog” does not include:

A. A dog certified by the State and used for law enforcement use;

B. A dog or wolf hybrid that injures or threatens to assault an individual who is on the dog or wolf hybrid owner's or keeper's premises if the dog or wolf hybrid has no prior history of assault and was provoked by the individual immediately prior to the injury or threatened assault; or

C. A dog or wolf hybrid that inflicts serious bodily injury on or causes the death of an individual who is committing a crime against an individual or property owned by the dog or wolf hybrid owner or keeper.

For the purposes of this definition, “dog or wolf hybrid owner's or keeper's premises” means the residence or residences, including buildings and land and motor vehicles, belonging to the owner or keeper of the dog or wolf hybrid.

* * *

16. Keeper. “Keeper” means a person in possession or control of a dog or other animal. A person becomes the keeper of a stray domesticated animal, other than a dog or livestock, if the person feeds that animal for at least 10 consecutive days.

* * *

20-A. Nuisance dog. “Nuisance dog” means a dog or wolf hybrid that causes bodily injury, other than serious bodily injury, to an individual or a domesticated animal who is not trespassing on the dog or wolf hybrid owner's or keeper's premises at the time of the injury; a dog or wolf hybrid that causes a reasonable and prudent person who is not on the dog or wolf hybrid owner's or keeper's premises and is acting in a reasonable and nonaggressive manner to fear bodily injury, other than serious bodily injury, by assaulting or threatening to assault that individual or individual's domesticated animal; or a dog or wolf hybrid that causes damage to property or crops not owned by the dog or wolf hybrid owner or keeper while the dog or wolf hybrid is not on the owner's or keeper's premises.

“Nuisance dog” does not include:

A. A dog certified by the State and used for law enforcement use;

B. A dog or wolf hybrid that injures or threatens to assault an individual who is on the dog or wolf hybrid owner's or keeper's premises if the dog or wolf hybrid has no prior history of assault and was provoked by the individual immediately prior to the injury or threatened assault; or

C. A dog or wolf hybrid that inflicts bodily injury on an individual who is committing a crime against an individual or property owned by the dog or wolf hybrid owner or keeper.

For the purposes of this definition, “dog or wolf hybrid owner's or keeper's premises” means the residence or residences, including buildings and land and motor vehicles, belonging to the owner or keeper of the dog or wolf hybrid.

21. Owner. “Owner” means a person owning, keeping or harboring a dog or other animal.

22. Person. “Person” means an individual, corporation, partnership, association or any other legal entity.

  * * *

24-A. Service dog. “Service dog” means a dog that meets the definition of “service animal” set forth in Title 5, section 4553, subsection 9-E or “assistance animal” set forth in Title 5, section 4553, subsection 1-H.

24-B. Serious bodily injury. “Serious bodily injury” has the same meaning as in Title 17-A, section 2, subsection 23.

* *  *

30. Wolf hybrid. “Wolf hybrid” means a mammal that is the offspring of the reproduction between a species of wild canid or wild canid hybrid and a domestic dog or wild canid hybrid. “Wolf hybrid” includes a mammal that is represented by its owner to be a wolf hybrid, coyote hybrid, coydog or any other kind of wild canid hybrid.

Credits
1987, c. 383, § 3; 1991, c. 622, § FF-11; 1991, c. 779, §§ 11 to 15, eff. March 31, 1992; Laws 1991, c. 779, § 52; 1993, c. 468, §§ 4, 5; 1993, c. 657, §§ 1 to 11; 1995, c. 351, § 1; 1995, c. 409, §§ 1, 2; 1995, c. 490, §§ 1 to 5; 1997, c. 33, § 1; 1997, c. 456, §§ 1, 2; 1997, c. 690, §§ 4 to 8; 1997, c. 704, § 1; 1999, c. 127, § A-16, eff. May 6, 1999; 1999, c. 350, § 1; 1999, c; 498, § 1; 2001, c. 363, § 1; 2001, c. 399, § 4, eff. June 13, 2001; 2001, c. 422, § 4, eff. June 18, 2001; 2003, c. 334, § 2; 2003, c. 536, § 2; 2003, c. 682, § 3; 2005, c. 510, §§ 1 to 5; R.R.2005, c. 2, § 10, eff. Oct. 1, 2006; 2007, c. 439, §§ 3 to 5; 2007, c. 664, §§ 8 to 10; 2007, c. 702, §§ 3 to 6; 2009, c. 343, §§ 3, 4; 2009, c. 403, § 1; 2011, c. 100, §§ 1 to 4, eff. May 19, 2011; 2011, c. 369, § 3; 2013, c. 115, §§ 1 to 6, eff. Oct. 9, 2013; 2015, c. 223, §§ 1 to 3, eff. Oct. 15, 2015; 2015, c. 457, § 5, eff. July 29, 2016; 2017, c. 404, §§ 1 to 4, eff. Aug. 1, 2018; 2021, c. 99, § 5, eff. Oct. 18, 2021; R.R.2021, c. 1, §§ B-146, B-147, eff. Oct. 1, 2021; 2023, c. 484, § 1, eff. Oct. 25, 2023.

 

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