The court, as part of the penalty, may prohibit a person adjudicated as having violated the laws against cruelty to animals from owning, possessing or having on the defendant's premises an animal for a period of time, up to and including permanent relinquishment. The court as part of the sentence may order that the defendant be evaluated to determine the need for psychiatric or psychological counseling and, if it is determined appropriate, the court may order that the defendant receive psychiatric or psychological counseling at the defendant's expense.

SUMMARY

This bill amends the late fee for licensing a dog from $3 to $10 so that it is consistent with the late fee provided by the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 7, section 3943, subsection 1. It also amends the procedures for euthanizing stray dogs by allowing an authorized municipal agent to authorize in writing the euthanasia of severely sick, severely injured or extremely vicious dogs.

This bill also removes the discretion of the court to order psychiatric or psychological counseling at the defendant's expense in matters involving cruelty to animals.