| Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: |
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| | Sec. 1. 7 MRSA §3906-B, sub-§15, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 502, Pt. C, | §12, is amended to read: |
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| | 15. Annual report. The commissioner shall report the | activities of the commissioner annually by March 1st to the joint | standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over | agricultural matters. This report must include a summary of | cases of cruelty to animals investigated by the commissioner and | an account of deposits into and payments from the spaying and | neutering fund. This report must include a summary of complaints | regarding dangerous dogs and the disposition of those complaints. |
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| | Sec. 2. 7 MRSA §3952, sub-§1, as amended by PL 1997, c. 690, §35, is | further amended to read: |
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| | 1. Procedure. Any person who is assaulted by a dog without | provocation or any person witnessing an unprovoked assault | against a person or domesticated animal or any person with | knowledge of an assault against a child 12 years of age or | younger whether or not the attack was provoked, within 10 90 days | of the assault, may make written complaint to the sheriff, local | law enforcement officer or animal control officer that the dog is | dangerous or vicious. |
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| The sheriff, local law enforcement officer or animal control | officer may file the a complaint in District Court or Superior | Court based on a reported assault. |
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| If, upon hearing, the court is satisfied that an assault on a | person or a domesticated animal has taken place, the court shall: |
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| A. Order the dog muzzled, restrained or confined to the | premises of its owner or keeper; or |
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| B. Order the dog to be euthanatized if it has killed, | maimed or inflicted serious bodily injury upon a person or | has a history of a prior assault. |
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| The owner or keeper who keeps a dog in violation of this section | commits a civil violation for which a forfeiture not to exceed | $100 $1,000, plus costs, may be adjudged. |
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| | Sec. 3. 7 MRSA §3952, sub-§3, as amended by PL 1997, c. 690, §36, is | further amended to read: |
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| | 3. Complaint for dogs presenting immediate threat to public. | After filing of complaint in District Court or Superior Court and | before hearing, if the dog poses an immediate threat to |
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