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.   [PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. B, §13 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]