| RABIES PREVENTION AND SHELTER PROVISIONS |
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| | Sec. 3. 7 MRSA §3916, sub-§1-A is enacted to read: |
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| | 1-A.__Required for dogs.__A person owning or keeping a dog, | except for a wolf hybrid, shall, within 30 days after the dog | attains the age of 6 months, cause the dog to be immunized | against rabies and shall have booster vaccinations administered | periodically in accordance with rules adopted by the Commissioner | of Health and Human Services under section 3922, subsection 3. |
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| | Sec. 4. 7 MRSA §3916, sub-§2, as amended by PL 1997, c. 704, §4, is | further amended to read: |
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| | 2. Certificate. A licensed veterinarian who vaccinates or | supervises the vaccination of a cat or dog shall issue to the | owner or keeper a certificate of rabies vaccination approved by | the State and shall indicate on the certificate the date by which | a booster vaccination is required pursuant to subsection 1 or 1- | A. |
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| | Sec. 5. 7 MRSA §3916, sub-§3, as amended by PL 1995, c. 490, §7, is | further amended to read: |
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| | 3. Enforcement. A humane agent, an animal control officer or | a law enforcement officer may ask an owner or keeper of a cat or | dog to present proof of a certificate of rabies vaccination from | the State. |
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| | Sec. 6. 7 MRSA §3916, sub-§4, as amended by PL 1997, c. 704, §5, is | further amended to read: |
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| | 4. Exception. Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter, | an animal shelter operated by a nonprofit organization is not | required to vaccinate an abandoned or stray cat or dog received | by the shelter. |
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| An owner or keeper of a cat is exempt from the requirements of | subsection 1 if a medical reason exists that precludes the | vaccination of the cat. To qualify for this exemption, the owner | or keeper must have a written statement signed by a licensed | veterinarian that includes a description of the cat and the | medical reason that precludes the vaccination. |
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| | Sec. 7. 7 MRSA §3923-C, sub-§6 is enacted to read: |
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| | 6.__Late fees.__A late fee of $25 in addition to the annual | fee must be paid by a person who fails to obtain a municipal | kennel license by January 31st of each year as required in this |
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