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An Act Relating to Animals in Pulling Events
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  7 MRSA §97, sub-§4, ¶S  is enacted to read:
 
S.  A person handling or responsible for an animal may not use on the animal any technique, force or method of preparing the animal for pulling that subjects the animal to pain, fear or undue stress, including but not limited to electric shock, physical punishment or artificial sweating to achieve weight.
Sec. 2.  7 MRSA §101, sub-§4  is enacted to read:
 
4.  Pulling event participation banned.     A person who engages in the activity described in section 97, subsection 4, paragraph S may not participate as an animal owner or handler or in any other capacity, directly or indirectly, in a pulling event for a period of one year for the first offense and is subject to a lifetime ban from pulling events for a 2nd offense.
 
SUMMARY
This bill prohibits a person handling or responsible for an animal in a pulling event from using on the animal any technique, force or method of preparing the animal for pulling that subjects the animal to pain, fear or undue stress, including but not limited to electric shock, physical punishment or artificial sweating to achieve weight. A person who engages in that activity is banned from participating in pulling events for one year for the first offense and permanently for a 2nd offense.