Maine Revised Statutes Title 7 Sec. 4019 – Removal from unattended motor vehicle
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1. Removal authorized. A law enforcement officer, humane agent, animal control officer, firefighter as defined in Title 26, section 2101 or security guard licensed under Title 32, chapter 93, referred to in this section as “authorized persons,” may take all steps that are reasonably necessary to remove an animal from a motor vehicle if the animal’s safety, health or well-being appears to be in immediate danger from heat, cold or lack of adequate ventilation and the conditions could reasonably be expected to cause extreme suffering or death.
[PL 2019, c. 370, §6 (AMD).]
Terms Used In Maine Revised Statutes Title 7 Sec. 4019
- Animal: means every living, sentient creature not a human being. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 7 Sec. 3907
- Animal control: means control of dogs, cats, and domesticated or undomesticated animals in accordance with section 3948. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 7 Sec. 3907
- Humane agent: means an employee of the department who assists in enforcing this Part. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 7 Sec. 3907
- Law enforcement officer: means any person who, by virtue of the person's public employment, is vested by law with a duty to maintain public order, enforce any law of this State establishing a civil violation, prosecute offenders or make arrests for crimes, whether that duty extends to all crimes or is limited to specific crimes. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 7 Sec. 3907
- Owner: means a person owning, keeping or harboring a dog or other animal. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 7 Sec. 3907
- Person: means an individual, corporation, partnership, association or any other legal entity. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 7 Sec. 3907
2. Notice required. A law enforcement officer, humane agent or animal control officer who removes an animal in accordance with subsection 1 shall, in a secure and conspicuous location on or within the motor vehicle, leave written notice bearing the officer’s or agent’s name and office and the address of the location where the animal may be claimed. A firefighter, first responder or security guard who removes an animal in accordance with subsection 1 shall, in a secure and conspicuous location on or within the motor vehicle, leave written notice bearing the person‘s name and the address of the location where the animal may be claimed. The owner may claim the animal only after payment of all charges that have accrued for the maintenance, care, medical treatment and impoundment of the animal.
[PL 2011, c. 288, §1 (AMD).]
3. Immunity. An authorized person who removes an animal from a motor vehicle pursuant to subsection 1 is immune from criminal or civil liability that might otherwise result from the removal.
[PL 2011, c. 288, §1 (AMD).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2007, c. 702, §20 (NEW). PL 2011, c. 288, §1 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 370, §6 (AMD).