Animal laws in Maine protect horses among many other animals.
Many will be surprised to know it is not illegal to kill a dog if that person feels their safety is in harm's way. Many will also be surprised to know it is illegal to sell or give away a puppy before that puppy reaches eight weeks of age. These are two examples of hundreds of animal laws in the state of Maine designed to protect the animals in our care.
Livestock and Other Animals
Maine has a set of guidelines called "Maine Humane" that relates to the handling of livestock in slaughterhouses. The guidelines were designed to make the slaughterhouse facility and process more humane. While this is a voluntary program, the Department of Agriculture will give priority to persons seeking support or funds, to the businesses that complied with this set of guidelines.
In regards to horses, ponies, donkeys and mules, there are laws regarding providing necessary sustenance (food, water, shelter) and necessary medical attention to the animal.
Domestic Animals
In regards to domestic animals such as dogs, no one may sell dogs (breed and sell) without a valid vendors' license. The vendors' license must be obtained through the Department of Agriculture. Also in regards to dogs, it is illegal to distribute or give away a dog before the dog reaches 8 weeks of age. The penalty for this action, according to the animal laws, could be a fine of between $50 and $500.
Dogs must be licensed after six months of age and on-leash at all times except when being used to hunt.
Animal Shelters
Animal shelters in Maine are required by law to take in any stray that is taken to the shelter. The only circumstances under which the shelter may opt out of taking in the stray would be if the shelter was full or undergoing quarantine. The owner has six days to claim the animal at which point the animal becomes property of the animal shelter.
Before adopting out an animal (dog or cat) animal shelters in Maine must spay or neuter that animal. In rare cases if the shelter adopts out rabbits or other animals, that shelter would spay or neuter on a case-by-case basis. In cases where the surgery cannot take place due to health reasons, the adoptive or foster family must show proof the animal has been spayed or neutered within 30 days after they take the animal from the shelter.
In regards to cats, shelters may no longer euthanize cats solely because the cat is aggressive.
Animal shelters must hold the animal eight days until administering humane euthanasia.
Wildlife
Any person who hunts or kills an animal in a wildlife sanctuary is guilty of committing a civil violation and may be charged a fine.
Any person hunting in Maine must have a valid hunting license. This license can range from $7 to $200 for residents of Maine.This license can be as high as $317 for non-residents. Another law regarding hunting in Maine is the "waste" law which prohibits hunters from wasting any part of bird or animal they have killed.
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