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An Act Concerning the Transporting of Dogs in Passenger Vehicles
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §2087, as reallocated by RR 1999, c. 1, §40, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:
§ 2087. Transporting a dog in a motor vehicle regulated
Transporting a dog in a motor vehicle is governed by this section.
 
1.  Definitions.     As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
 
A.  "Open vehicle" means a motor vehicle with a portion of the vehicle not enclosed by a top and windows or sides. "Open vehicle" includes, but is not limited to, pickup trucks and convertibles.
 
B.  "Occupant" means a person in a motor vehicle. "Occupant" includes the driver and a passenger.
 
C.  "Passenger compartment" means the portion of a motor vehicle designed to be occupied by an occupant.
 
2.  Restrictions.     A person driving a motor vehicle may not:
 
A.  Transport a dog in the open portion of an open vehicle on a public way unless the dog is protected in a manner that prevents the dog from falling out of or jumping out of or being thrown from the vehicle;
 
B.  Transport a dog in the passenger compartment unless the dog is restrained by a tether or harness that is secured in a manner that would minimize an injury to an occupant or the dog in the event of an accident;
 
C.  Allow a dog in the front seat of the motor vehicle between an occupant and the steering wheel or between an occupant and the dashboard; or
 
D.  Allow a dog to put the dog's head outside of the passenger compartment at any time that the motor vehicle is in motion.
 
3.  Exceptions.     Notwithstanding subsection 2, this section does not apply to:
 
A.  A dog being transported by a farmer or a farm employee who is engaged in agricultural activities requiring the services of a dog;
 
B.  A hunting dog at a hunting site or being transported between hunting sites by a licensed hunter who is in possession of all applicable licenses and permits for the species being pursued during the legal season for that activity; or
 
C.  A dog used for law enforcement purposes while on duty in a motor vehicle used for law enforcement purposes.
 
SUMMARY
This bill regulates the transportation of a dog in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle by:
1. Requiring the dog to be harnessed or tethered in a manner that prevents injury to an occupant or the dog in the event of an accident;
2. Prohibiting allowing the dog to be in the front seat between an occupant and the steering wheel or between an occupant and the dashboard; and
3. Prohibiting allowing the dog to put its head out of the passenger compartment when the motor vehicle is in motion.
This bill does not apply to a dog used for law enforcement purposes while on duty in a vehicle being used for law enforcement purposes.