Sec. 1. 7 MRSA §3913-B is enacted to read:

3913-B.__Wolf hybrids to be tattooed

A person may not own or care for a wolf hybrid unless that wolf hybrid is tattooed in accordance with rules adopted by the commissioner.

Sec. 2. 7 MRSA §3915, as amended by PL 1997, c. 690, §12, is further amended to read:

§3915. Violation

Any person who violates this chapter commits a civil violation for which a forfeiture of not less than $50 nor more than $250 may be adjudged, except that, if the violation involves a wolf hybrid running at large in violation of section 3911, the forfeiture may not be less than $150 and may not be waived by the court.

Sec. 3. 7 MRSA §3922, sub-§3-B is enacted to read:

3-B.__Proof of tattooing for wolf hybrids.__A municipal clerk may not issue a license for a wolf hybrid until the applicant has filed with the clerk proof that the wolf hybrid has been tattooed in accordance with rules adopted by the commissioner.

Sec. 4. Rules. The Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources shall adopt rules establishing the tattooing requirements for wolf hybrids. Rules adopted under this section are routine technical rules under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A.

SUMMARY

This bill prohibits any person from owning or caring for a wolf hybrid unless it is tattooed in accordance with rules adopted by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources. The bill also triples the fine for allowing a wolf hybrid to run at large and prohibits municipalities from licensing any wolf hybrid that is not tattooed in accordance with rules adopted by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources.