17 §1023. Investigation and reporting of cruelty - Maine Statutes

Title 17: CRIMES

Chapter 42: ANIMAL WELFARE HEADING: PL 1987, C. 383, §4 (NEW); 1999, C. 254, §16 (RPR)

Subchapter 2: POSSESSION OF ANIMALS HEADING: PL 1987, C. 383, §4 (NEW)

§1023. Investigation and reporting of cruelty

1. Investigations; reports. Law enforcement officers, animal control officers and humane agents shall investigate alleged violations of Title 7, chapter 739 and this chapter. The commissioner shall maintain a record of each alleged case of cruelty to animals investigated by a humane agent. The commissioner shall report annually on the disposition of cases as required under Title 7, section 3906-B.

A law enforcement officer or animal control officer who investigates a case of alleged cruelty to animals and pursues a civil or criminal action based on that investigation shall report to the commissioner on the final disposition of the case.

[ 2001, c. 422, §13 (NEW) .]

2. Commissioner role.

[ 1997, c. 690, §67 (RP) .]

3. Cooperation between agencies. For the purposes of this section, law enforcement officers, the commissioner or the commissioner's designee, humane agents, a state veterinarian and certified animal control officers may exchange information and reports pertaining to an investigation of cruelty to animals pursuant to Title 16, chapter 3, subchapter VIII.

[ 2001, c. 422, §13 (NEW) .]

SECTION HISTORY

1987, c. 383, §4 (NEW). 1989, c. 701, §§5,6 (AMD). 1991, c. 779, §50 (AMD). 1997, c. 690, §§66,67 (AMD). 2001, c. 422, §13 (RPR).