1-B. Aggravated cruelty to animals. A person is guilty of aggravated cruelty to animals if that person, in a manner manifesting a depraved indifference to animal life or suffering, intentionally, knowingly or recklessly:

A. Causes extreme physical pain to an animal;

B. Causes the death of an animal; or

C. Physically tortures an animal.

Notwithstanding Title 17-A, section 1301, the court shall impose a fine of not less than $1,000 and not more than $10,000 for a first or subsequent violation of this subsection. The sentencing provisions in subsection 3-B also apply to a person convicted of aggravated cruelty to animals.

Sec. I-16. 17 MRSA §1031, sub-§§1-C, 1-D and 1-E are enacted to read:

1-C.__Cat or dog; exceptions.__Except as provided in subsections 1-D and 1-E, a person is guilty of cruelty to animals if that person intentionally, knowingly or recklessly:

A.__Kills or attempts to kill a cat or dog.__Violation of this paragraph is a Class D crime; or

B.__Violates paragraph A and, at the time of the offense, has 2 or more convictions for violations of this section, section 1032 or essentially similar crimes in other jurisdictions.__Violation of this paragraph is a Class C crime.

1-D.__Licensed veterinarian.__A licensed veterinarian or a person certified under section 1042 may kill a cat or dog according to the methods of euthanasia under subchapter 4.

1-E.__Owner or owner's agent.__A person who owns a cat or dog, or the owner's agent, may kill that owner's cat or dog by shooting it with a firearm if the following conditions are met:

A.__The shooting is performed by a person 18 years of age or older using a weapon and ammunition of suitable caliber and other characteristics to produce instantaneous death by a single shot;

B.__Death is instantaneous;