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An Act To Clarify Damages for the Willful or Negligent Injury or Death of a Dog
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 7 MRSA §3953, as amended by PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. B, §13 and affected by Pt. D, §7 and c. 614, §9, is further amended to read:
§ 3953.Stealing, injuring or killing dogs
Except as provided in section 3951 and Title 12, section 12404, and unless the killing is justified to protect persons or property, a person who steals, confines or secretes, willfully or negligently injures or willfully or negligently kills a dog is liable in damages to the dog's owner in a civil action. Damages may include, but are not limited to, actual damages, including veterinary fees and the value of the dog; damages for loss of companionship; damages for pain and suffering; and punitive damages. The prevailing party in any action under this section may recover attorney's fees from the nonprevailing party.
 
SUMMARY
This bill allows damages for the willful or negligent injury or death of a dog to include, but not be limited to, actual damages, including veterinary fees and the value of the dog; damages for loss of companionship; damages for pain and suffering; and punitive damages. The prevailing party in any action may recover attorney's fees from the nonprevailing party.