CHAPTER 69

H.P. 49 - L.D. 53

An Act To Clarify the Law Regarding Unlawful Interference

with Law Enforcement Dogs

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 17-A MRSA §752-B, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2001, c. 383, §82 and affected by §156, is further amended to read:

1. A person is guilty of unlawful interference with a law enforcement dog if the person intentionally or knowingly:

A. Kills, mutilates or permanently disables any dog that is in fact certified for law enforcement use and that the person knows or reasonably should have known is certified used for law enforcement use purposes. Violation of this paragraph is a Class C crime; or

B. Torments, beats, strikes, injures, temporarily disables or otherwise mistreats any dog that is in fact certified for law enforcement use and that the person knows or reasonably should have known is certified used for law enforcement use purposes. Violation of this paragraph is a Class D crime.