An Act To Require the Reporting of Animal Cruelty or Neglect
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 7 MRSA §4018, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2007, c. 702, §18, is further amended to read:
1. Report by veterinarian. Except as provided in subsection 1-A, a A veterinarian licensed in accordance with Title 32, chapter 71-A who, while acting in a professional capacity, has reasonable cause to suspect that an animal is the subject of cruelty or neglect in violation of this chapter or Title 17, chapter 42 may shall immediately report the suspected violation or cause a report to be made to the commissioner or the commissioner's designee. A veterinarian making a report under this section may appear and testify in a judicial or administrative proceeding concerning the condition or care of the animal.
Sec. 2. 7 MRSA §4018, sub-§1-A, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 702, §19, is repealed.
summary
This bill requires a licensed veterinarian to report to the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry when the veterinarian has reasonable cause to suspect that an animal is the subject of cruelty or neglect. Current law requires a licensed veterinarian to report only when there is suspicion of aggravated cruelty.