‘An Act To Restrict the Sale of Dogs and Cats in Pet Shops’
| HP0229 LD 335 |
Session - 127th Maine Legislature C "A", Filing Number H-275, Sponsored by
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LR 841 Item 2 |
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| Bill Tracking, Additional Documents | Chamber Status | ||
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following:
‘An Act To Restrict the Sale of Dogs and Cats in Pet Shops’
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and before the summary and inserting the following:
‘Sec. 1. 7 MRSA §4164 is enacted to read:
§ 4164. Restriction of sale in pet shops
(1) A source authorized pursuant to an exception in paragraph A or B; or
(2) A breeder based in any state that, on the date the pet store received the cat or dog:
(a) Meets the minimum standards established pursuant to rules adopted under section 3906-B as certified by the commissioner; and
(b) Holds a Class A license issued by the United States Department of Agriculture pursuant to the federal Animal Welfare Act, 7 United States Code, Section 2131 et seq. that has not been suspended at any time during the past 5 years and has not received from the United States Department of Agriculture, as indicated on any inspection report issued in connection with the Class A license during the prior 2 years:
(i) A citation for a direct violation;
(ii) Three or more distinct citations or a repeat citation for indirect violations that directly pertain to the health and welfare of animals and that are not administrative in nature; or
(iii) A repeat citation for failure to provide inspectors access to property or records.
SUMMARY
This amendment, which is the majority report, replaces the bill. It creates a process whereby pet shops are required to attest in writing as to the origin of a cat or dog, which may come only from a public or private charitable nonprofit animal shelter, humane society or animal rescue organization. It provides an exception for existing pet shops, who may also sell or otherwise dispose of a cat or dog from a breeder if the breeder meets certain conditions and the existing pet shop attests to the origin in writing. Additionally, it reduces the penalty for a violation from $2,500 to $500.