B. To cause the animal to be disposed of humanely.

Sec. 31. 17 MRSA §1021, sub-§4, ķA, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 690, §63, is amended by amending the first paragraph to read:

A. A state veterinarian, humane agent, sheriff, deputy sheriff, constable, police officer, animal control officer, person authorized to make arrests or the commissioner chief humane agent may apply to the District Court, Superior Court or a justice of the peace for an ex parte order for authorization to take possession of any maimed, disabled, diseased, dehydrated, malnourished or injured animal or any animal whose owner has cruelly abandoned or cruelly treated it and turn it over to the applicant or any other suitable person.

Sec. 32. 17 MRSA §1022, as amended by PL 1997, c. 690, §65, is further amended to read:

§1022. Prevention of cruelty

The commissioner chief humane agent or any person authorized to make arrests may lawfully interfere to prevent the perpetration of any act of cruelty upon an animal in that person's presence.

Sec. 33. 17 MRSA §1023, as repealed and replaced by PL 2001, c. 422, §13, is amended to read:

§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 chief humane agent shall maintain a record of each alleged case of cruelty to animals investigated by a humane agent. The commissioner chief humane agent 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