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An Act To Protect Abused or Neglected Animals
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 17 MRSA §1021, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2007, c. 702, §41, is further amended to read:
 
1. Possession.   A state veterinarian, humane agent, sheriff, deputy sheriff, constable, police officer, animal control officer, person authorized to make arrests or, the commissioner or a nonprofit organization organized under Title 13-B or described in 26 United States Code, Section 501(c)(3) and licensed as an animal shelter pursuant to Title 7, section 3932-A may apply to the District Court or the Superior Court for authorization:
 
A. To take possession of any maimed, disabled, diseased, dehydrated, malnourished or injured animal or any animal whose owner has abandoned or cruelly treated it and turn over the animal to the applicant or other suitable person; or
 
B. To cause the animal to be disposed of humanely.
 
SUMMARY
This bill authorizes nonprofit, licensed animal shelters to apply for authorization to take possession of abandoned or cruelly treated animals or to cause these animals to be disposed of humanely.