LD 1598 An Act To Strengthen the Laws against Illegal "Puppy Mill" Operators

LD 1598 would strengthen the laws against animal cruelty by increasing the class of certain crimes from Class D crimes to Class C crimes when 25 or more animals are involved, authorizes the State to recover the cost of relocating animals as part of an animal cruelty case and adds probation as a sentencing option for Class D animal cruelty violations.

Sponsors: Senator Deborah Simpson of Androscoggin; Senator HOBBINS of York; Representative HUNT of Buxton; Representative KNIGHT of Livermore Falls; Representative SHAW of Standish

LD 1598 is scheduled to be heard Thursday February 5th, before the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry on Jan 14, 2010. 9:30AM, Room 206 Cross Office Building, Augusta Maine.

Contact Committee Members now and OPPOSE LD 1598

The title of LD1598 is misleading and would erroneously elicit sympathy by stating that this call for increased animal cruelty penalty is aimed only at “illegal puppy mill operators.” The bill uses the word “animal” not “dogs” and therefore includes chickens, hamsters, gerbils, ducks, cats, etc. Adding the reimbursement of cost for relocating an animal as included in Sec. 2. 17 MRSA §1031, sub-§3-B, ¶A, is also not specific to “puppy mills” but general for any and all owned animals.

LD 1598 attempts to separate a particular class of dog owners, those with 25 animals or more, creating harsher penalties if charged with cruelty. Numbers should have no bearing on cruelty charges or penalties and could be deemed unconstitutional.

For more information contact Maine Hunting & Sporting Dog Owners