| | Municipal clerks, annually, on or before April 1st, shall | certify to the commissioner chief humane agent the name and | location of the animal shelter with which the municipality has | entered into a contract to accept stray animals or have an | arrangement for an animal shelter that will accept stray | animals. Animal shelters designated by the municipality under | this section must comply with commissioner chief humane agent | rules. |
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| | Sec. 19. 7 MRSA §3950-A, 2nd, 3rd and 4th ¶¶, as enacted by PL 1983, c. | 383, §3 and amended by PL 1993, c. 468, §25, are further | amended to read: |
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| | The commissioner chief humane agent, at its the agent's own | instance or upon written complaint made to it the agent by any | person, shall investigate any alleged refusal or neglect of | duty by any municipal officer. |
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| | The commissioner chief humane agent shall direct | proceedings, actions and prosecutions to be instituted to | enforce all laws relating to animals and to the liability of | municipal officers and their agents for failure, neglect or | refusal to comply with the laws relating to animals. |
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| | The Attorney General and district attorneys, upon the | commissioner's chief humane agent's written request, shall | institute such legal proceedings as may be necessary to carry | out this section. |
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| | Sec. 21. 7 MRSA §3971, sub-§§3 and 4, as amended by PL 1993, c. 468, | §25, are further amended to read: |
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| | 3. Standards of treatment. Any animal whose use is | permitted under this section shall must be treated in | accordance with the ethical and humane standards promulgated | adopted by the commissioner chief humane agent pursuant to the | rule-making provisions of the Maine Administrative Procedure | Act, Title 5, chapter 375, after consultation with | representative groups in the State having an interest or | expertise in the field of animal welfare, biology and | education. |
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| | 4. Enforcement. The commissioner chief humane agent shall | enforce this section in consultation with the Commissioner of | Education. |
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| | Sec. 22. 7 MRSA §§3983, 3984 and 3985, as enacted by PL 1983, c. 383, | §3 and amended by PL 1993, c. 468, §25, are further amended to | read: |
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| §3983. Possession of animals unlawfully detained |
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