An Act To Amend the Animal Welfare Laws
Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 1103
Committee: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Sponsors: NUTTING, GIFFORD, O'BRIEN, PRATT
Amends: 7 MRSA §3906-C, 7 MRSA §3907, 7 MRSA §3909, 7 MRSA §3913, 7 MRSA §3919-A, 7 MRSA §3919-B, 7 MRSA §3923-A, 7 MRSA §3923-F, 7 MRSA §3931-B, 7 MRSA §3936, 7 MRSA §3943, 7 MRSA §3947, 7 MRSA §3948, 7 MRSA §3950-A, 7 MRSA §4015, 7 MRSA §4162, 17 MRSA §1037

MAINE STATE LEGISLATURE 
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124thMAINE LEGISLATURE 
·Legislative Document 
No. 1103 
H.P.758 
House of Representatives, March 20, 2009 
An Act To Amend the Animal Welfare Laws 
Submitted by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources pursuant to Joint 
·Rule 204. 
Reference to the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry suggested and 
ordered:printed. 
Presented by Representative PIEH 6fBremen. 
Cosponsored by Senator NUTTING of Androscoggin and 
'-77l~ 1I1.17ldC~{ 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Representatives: GIFFORD of Lincoln, McCABE of Skowhegan, O'BRIEN of Lincolnville, 
PRATT of Eddington. 
Printed on rccyckd pnpcr 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1. 7 MRSA §3906-C, sub-§l, as ameilded by PL 2003, c. 405, §4, is further 
amended to. read: 
1. Membership. The council consists of H II members appointed by the Governor 
as follows: 
. A. One member representing municipal interests; 
B. One animal control officer; 
C. One member representing licensed animal shelters; 
D. One member representing licensed boarding or breeding kennels; 
E. One member representing licensed pet shops; 
G. One member who is or has been a veterinarian licensed to practice in the State; 
H. 
One member· who represents the interests of the public in animal welfare, 
generally; 
I. One attorney with experience in animal welfare law; 
J. One cooperative extension agent or specialist; 
K. One member with expertise in equine care; 
L. 
One member with expel1ise in livestock representing a statewide farming 
organization;ftfld 
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. M .. One member representing a State based an animal advocacy group7 based in the 
State; and 
N. One member representing licensed breeding kennels. 
In making the appointment of the veterinarian member, the Governor shall consider 
nominations made by the Maine Veterinary Medical Association. 
Sec. 2. 7 MRSA §3906-C,. sub-§2, as repealed and replaced by PL 2001, c. 399,. 
§3, is amended toread: . 
2. Staff. The commissioner or the commissioner's designee serves as an ex officio 
nonvoting member. 
The department shall provide necessary staffing services to the 
council. 
Sec. 3 .. 7 MRSA §3906-C, sub-§4, as repealed and replaced by PL 2001, c. 399, 
§3, is amended to read: 
4. Terms of office. 
Except for initial appointees and the commissioner or the 
commissioner's designee, each member serves for a term of 3 years or. until the member's 
successor has qualified been appointed. 
E}(cept for the. commissioner or the 
commissioner's desienee. a A member may not serve more than 2 consecutive terms. In 
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the case ofa vacancy for any reason, the Governor shall appoint a member representing 
the same interest to fill the unexpired term. 
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Sec. 4. 7 MRS A §3907, sub-§8, as amended by pt 1997, c. 33, § 1, is further 
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amended to read: 
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8. Boarding kennel. "Boarding kennel" means any place, building, tract of land or 
abode in or on which 3 Qr more privately owned dogs or other pets, or both, companion 
' animals are kept or trained at anyone time for theiI: owners in return for a fee' or 
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compensation. "Boarding kennel" includes a place, building, traCt of land or abode at 
which control of a companion animal is taken from the owner for a pO\iion of a day for 
the purposes of exercise, day care or entertainment. "Boarding kennel" does not include 
dog grooming facilities. 
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Sec. 5.7 MRSA §3907, su b-§ 17, as amended by PL 2007, c. 702, §6, is further 
amended to read: 
17. Kennel., "Kennel" means 5 or more dogs or wolf hybrids kept in a single 
location under one ownership for breeding, hunting, show, training, field trials, mushing 
sledding competition or exhibition purposes. 
The sale or exchange of one litter of 
puppies, within a 12-month period alone does not cons.titute the operation of a kennel. 
Sec. 6. 7 MRS A §3909, sub-§2, as amended by PL 1997, c. 683, Pt. B, § 1, is 
fU1iller amended to read: 
2: Designated employees of the department. For purposes of prosecution under 
this section, the commissioner may authorize humane agents and a state veterinarian to 
issue and serve civil process violation processes against offenders, pursuant to the Maine 
Rules of Civil Proc(,;)dure, Rule 80H and any other applicable rules of court for violations 
of this Part. The commissioner may authorize humane agents or a state veterinarian to 
represent the department in Distri9t COUli in the prosecution of civil violations of these 
laws. Certification of the humane agents and a state veterinarian for this purpose is as 
provided under Title 30-A, section 4453, subsection 5. 
Once certified, prosecution 
Prosecution by the certified humane agent or a state veterinarian may seek civil penalties 
as provided by law as well as a permanent or temporary injunction, restraining order or 
other equitable relief as the COllrt finds appropriate .. 
Sec. 7. 7 MRSA§3909, s.ub-§2-A is enacted to read: 
2-A. Animal welfare citation form. The commissioner shall designate the Uniform 
Summons and Complaint as the citation f01111'10 be used by the department. 
A. 'The Department of Public Safety is responsible for all Uniform Summons and 
'Complaint forms issued to the depaliment. The commissioner or the commissioner's 
designee is responsible for·the fU1iher issuance of Uniform Summons and Complaint 
books to individual law enforcement officers and' for the proper disposition of those 
books. 
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B. 
'tis unlawful and official misconduct for any humane agent or other public 
employee to dispose of an official citation fonn or Unifo'rm Summons and 
Complaint, except in accordance with law and as provided for in an applicable 
official policy or procedure, of the department. 
C. A Uniform Summons and Complaint may be filed in a' court having jurisdiction 
and constitUtes a lawful complaint to commence any criminal prosecutionm civil 
violation proceeding if the Unifonn Summons and Complaint is duly sworn to 'as 
required by law and is otherwise legally sufficient. 
D. A Uniform Summons and Complaint, when served upon a person by a humane 
agent, functions as a summons to appear in court. A person who fails to appear in 
court after having been served with a summons commits a Class E crime. Upon that 
' person's failure to appear, the court may issue a warrant of arrest. It is an affinnative 
, 
defense to prosecution under this paragraph that the failure to appear resulted from 
just cause. 
Sec. 8. 7 MRSA §3909, sub-§5 is enacted to, read: 
5. Enforcem~nt provision; animal control officers. The commissione'r: 
A. May suspend or revoke the certification issued pursuant to section 3906~B of any 
person who: 
(1) Has been found guilty of murder or a Class A, Class B, Class C or Class D 
crime or of violating any provision of Title 17~A, chapter 15, 19, 25 or 45; 
(2) Has engaged in conduct that is prohibited or penalized by state law as murder 
or a Class A. Class B, Class C or Class D crime_or by any provision of the Maine 
Criminal, Code, chapter 15, 19,25, or 45; 
(3) Has falsified or misrepresented material facts in obtaining or maintaining the 
certification; or 
(4) Has failed to perfonn the duties of an animal control officer pursuant to 
section 3947; and 
B. Shall investigate a complaint, on the commissioner's own motion or otherwise, 
regarding the'failure of an animal controi officer to comply with the requirements of 
section ,~906-B. The commissioner or the commissioner's, designee may, upon 
notice, conduct an infonnal conference with the animal control officer. 
If the 
commissioner finds that the factual basis of the complaint is true and that further 
action is warranted, the commissioner may: 
(1) Enter into a consent agreement with the animal control officer, which may 
contain provisions to ensure compliance, including voluntary surrender of the 
certification and terms and conditions of recertification; or 
(2) ,Susperid the animal control officer's certification pending a hearing held in 
accordance with the provisions of the Maine Administrative Procedure Act. 
Sec. 9. 7 MRSA §3913, sub-§3, Gi[B, as amended by PL 1997, c. 690, § 11, is 
further amended to read: 
B. 
An animal shelter that accepts a dog under this section, within 45 days of 
acceptance of the dog, shall submit a claim on a department-approved fonn to the 
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department for fees inculTed in providing food and shelter, and the animal shelter 
shall forward a copy of the claim to the clerk of the respective mUhicipality. Only an 
animal shelter that has an adoption policy approved by the department is eligible for 
reimbursement of these fees. 
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Sec. W. 7 MRSA §3919-A, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2007, c. 439, §9, IS 
further amended to read: 
2. Homeless cats. When an animal shelter accepts a cat under section 3919 and that 
cat does not have cat identification or is determined to be a feral cat, the animal shelter 
shall hold the cat for not less than 48 hours. After the 48-hour period, the anim~1 shelter 
may treat the cat as a homeless cat and may: . 
A. Except as provided in sectiop 3938-A, offer the cat for adoption, sell or give away 
the cat; or 
B. Otherwise dispose of the cat humanely in accordance with Title 17, chapter 42, 
subchapter 4. 
. 
. It' at least 2 shelter personnel who are experienced and qualified to assess a cat's 
temperament pursuant to a standard behavioral assessment protocol approved by the 
department. determine that the cat is feial, then the minimum holding period for such a cat 
is reduced to 24 hours. 
An animal shelter may not sell or give a cat to a research facility. 
Sec. U. 7 MRSA §3919-B, sub-§l, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 405, §9, IS 
amended to read: 
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1. Notice. An Emim·al shelter that accepts a pet under this section shall within 24 
hours of receiving the pet send a notice by mail, retul1l receipt requested; to the owner of 
the· pet at the owner's last known address. The notice must inform the owner of the 
provisions of this section. 
Sec. 12. 7 MRSA §3923-A, sub-§4, a'S nmended by PL 2003, c. 405, § 13, IS 
further amended to read: 
4. Late fees. An owner or keeper required to license a dog under section 3922, 
subsection 1 or section 3923-C, subsection 1 and applying for a license for that dog after 
January 31 st shall pay to the municipal clerk or dog recorder a late fee of $15 in addition 
to the annual license fee paid in accordance with subsection 1 or 2 and section 3923-C, 
subsection 1. The clerk or dog recorder shall deposit all late fees collected under this 
subsection i·nto the municipality's animal welfare account established in accordanc.e with 
section 3945. 
AfI-O:Vv'iler or keeper , .... hose name appears on a municipal warrant issued in accordance 
with section 3943 must pay the late fee of $25 required by that section and is not subject 
to this subsection. 
Sec. 13. 7 MRSA §3923-F; as enac·ted by PL 2001 ,-c. 422, § 1 0, is amended to 
read: 
§3923-F. Veterinarian or animal shelter serving as dog licensing agent 
The commISSIOner may authorize an animal shelter licensed in accordance with 
chapter 723 and a veterinarian licensed ill accordance with Title 32, chapter 71 -A to issue 
dog licenses under section 3923-A. The commissioner shall adopt rules to implement this 
section. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in 
Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A 2-A. 
The rules must provide a process for 
identifying animal shelters and veterinarians who are willing to serve as dog licensing 
agents, for distributing license blanks, tags and stickers,. and for the collection, 
distribution and deposit of license fees into the appropriate municipal and state accounts. 
The animal shelters .and veterinarians slHill retain a recording fee of $3 and pay the 
remaining fee to the departrnent for deposit in the Animal Welfare Fund. 
Sec. 14. '7 MRSA §3931-B, sub-§3, as enacted byPL 2001, c. 129, §4, IS 
amended to read: 
3. Permanent identification of offspring; record of transfer. A person operating a 
wolf hybrid kennel shall have the offspring of a wolf hybrid permimently identified prior 
to transferring ownership or care of the animal. When a wolf hybrid is sold, given away 
or exchanged or ownership or care of the wolf hybrid is otherwise transferred, the person 
operating the wolf hybrid kennel must notify the department of the transfer and provide 
the name and address of the person accepting transfer of the wolf hybrid within 3 
. business days. The person operating the wolf hybrid kennel shall keep and maintain the 
records of transfer for a period of ten years. 
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Sec. IS. 7 MR.SA §3932, suh-§S is enacted to read: 
5. Notice of fees and services. A person maintaining a boarding kennel shallpost 
upon the prem ises and provide upon request a written notice of fees charged for board ing 
and for any other services offered at the boarding kennel. The notice must indicate the 
hours during which the owner of the boarding kennel or a person responsible to the owner. 
of the boarding kennel is on the premises. 
Sec. 16. 7 MRSA§3933, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 350, §I, is amended 
to read: 
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3. Records. A person maintaining a pet shop, as defined in section 3907, shall keep 
31. 
a record of each animal received by the pet shop, except for mice and fish. The record 
must include the name and address of the person or company from whom the animal was 
received and the name and address of the person buying or otherwise acquiring the 
animal from the pet shop. 
The record must be kept on file for a period of 2 years 
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following the sale or other disposition of the animal by the pet shop and must be made 
available to the department immediately upon request of the department. 
Sec; 17. 7 MRS A §393S, as amended by PL 2007, c. 439, §21, is further amended 
to read; 
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§3935. License prohibited·. 
The department may not. issue a license to maintain a boarding kennel, breeding 
kennel, animal shelter or pet shop to a person who, within the 10 years previous to the 
application for the license, has been convicted of murder, a Class A or Class B offense, a 
violation under Title 17-A, chapter 9, 11, 12 or 13 or a criminal violation under Title 17, 
chapter 42, or under a criminal law involving cruelty to animals that is no longer in effect, 
or, within 10 years previous to the app·lication for the license, has been adjudicated of a 
civil violation for cruelty to animals under chapter 739 or has· been convicted or 
adjudicated in any other state, provincial or federal court of a violation similar to those 
specified in this section. 
Sec. 18. 7 MRSA §3936, sub-§2, as amended by PL 1993, c. 89, § I and PL 1999, 
c. 547, Pt. B, §78 and affected by §80, is further amended to read: 
2. Suspension of license. The Distl:ict Court, upon complaint of the commissioner, 
the Attorney General or the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and 'Nildlife, department 
may revoke or suspend a kennel, boarding kennel, breeding kennel, animal shelter or pet 
shop license if a person .maintaining the kennel, boarding kennel, breeding kennel, animal 
. shelter or pet shop violates any quarantine or· rnaintains animals contrary to the rules 
adopted by the department, fails to keep records required by the department or violates 
any provision of the laws or rules of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife 
pertaining to wildlife importation and possession pending an administrative hearing in 
'accordance with the provisions of the Maine Administrative Procedure Act. 
Sec. 19. 7 MRSA §3943, as amended by PL 2003, c. 405, §21, is repealed. 
Sec. 20. 7 MRSA §3947, as amended by PL 2007, c. 439, §26, is further amended 
to read: 
§3947. Animal control officers 
Each municipality shall appoint one or more animal control officers whose. duties are 
enforcement of sections3911, 3912, 3916, 3921, 3924, ~ 
3948,3950, 3950-A, 3952 
and 4041 and Title 17, section 1023 responding to reports of animals suspected of having 
rabies in accordance with Title 22, sections 1313 a-nd 1313-A and any other duties to 
control animals as the municipality may require. 
A municipality may not appoint a person to the position of animal control officer who 
has been convicted of murder, a Class A or Class B offense or a violation of Title 17-A, 
chapter 9, 11, 12 or 13 or has been convicted of a criminal violation under Title 17, 
chapter 42 or has been adjudicated of a civil violation for cruelty to animals under chapter 
or who has been convicted or adjudicated in any other state, provincial or federal 
court of a violation similar to those specified in this section. 
Animal control officers must be certified in accordance with section 3906-B, 
subsection 4. Upon initial appointment, an animal control officer must complete basic 
training and be certified by the commissioner within 6 months of appointment. 
An animal control officer must attend advanced training programs as described under' 
section 3906-B, subsection 4 to ,maintaIn certification .. An animal control officer must 
have a minimum of 8 hours of training each year. 
Upon appointment of an, animal control officer, municipal Clerks shall notify the 
commissioner of the name, address and telephone number of the animal control officer 
within 10 business days. 
In the eveht the position is vacant upon termimition or 
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resignation of the animal control officer, the municipal clerk shaIl notifY the 
commissioner within 10 business days of the vacancy. 
Sec. 21. 7 MRSA §3948, sub-§2, as amended by PL 1997, c: 690, §30, is further 
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amended to read: 
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2. Medical attention. Law ·enforcementofficers and animal control officers shall 
take a stray animal to its o\vnGr,if knovm, or, if the ovmeris unlmo't'm, to an animal 
shelter and ensure that any injured companion animal that is at large or in a public way is 
given proper medical attention. 
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Sec. 22. 7 MRSA §3950-A, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. B, §21 
and affected by Pt. X, §2, is amended to read: 
2. Penalty. A person who violates subsection 1 commits a civil violation forwhlch 
a fine of not less than $W $250 and not more than $;!-W $500 and costs may be adjudged. 
Sec. 23. 7 MRSA §4015, sub-§6, as amended by PL 2007, c .. 439, §28, is further 
amended to read: 
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6. 
Dogs confined by tethering for long time periods. 
In addition to the 
requirements of subsection 2, paragraph B, subparagraph (2), when tethering is the 
primary means of confinement for a dog, the standards for shelter and tethering are as 
,follows: 
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A. A shelter must be provided that is fuIly enclosed except for a portal. The p0I1al 
must be of a sufficient size to aIlow the dog unimpeded passage into and out of the 
structure. For dogs other than arctic breeds dogs kept as sled dogs, the p0I1al must be 
constructed with a baffle or other means of keeping wind and precipitation out of the 
interior. The shelter must be constructed of materials with a thennal resistance factor 
. of 0.9 or greater and must contain clean bedding material sufficient to retain the dog's 
normal body heat; and 
B. The chain or tether must be attached to both the dog and the anchor using swivels 
or similar devices that prevent the chain or tether from bec(,lIning entangled or 
twisted. 'The chain or tether must be attached to a well-fitted coIlar or harness on the 
dog. For dogs other than arctic breeds dogs kept as sled dogs, the chain or tether 
must be at least 5 times the length of the dog measured from the tip of its nose to the 
base of its tail. For arctic breeds dogs kept as sled dogs, the chain or tether must be: 
(l) At least 2.5 times the length of the dog measured from the tip of its nose to 
the base of its tail if the anchor is stationary; or 
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(2) At least 1.5 times the length of the dog measured from the tip of its nose to 
the base of its tail if the anchor is a pivot point allowing a 360
area of 
movement. 
For the purposes of this subsection, "primary means of confinement" means the method 
used 'to confine a dog for periods of time that exceed 12 hours in a 24-hour' period. For 
the purposes of this subsection, "arctic breeds" means Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Huskies,' 
Alaskan Malamutes and other dogs with a double layered coat and bred to live in an 
arctic climate "dogs kept as sled dogs" means dogs' regularly and consistently used in 
, training or participation in competitive or recreational sled dog activities. 
Sec. 24. 7 MRSA §4162, as repealed and repjaced by PL 1997, c. 690, §55 and 
amended by PL 1999, c. 547, Pt. B, §78 and affected by §80, is fUliher amended to read: 
§4162. Additional penalties 
1. Civil violation. A person who fails to meet a requirement of this chapter commits 
a civil violation for which a forfeiture fine not to exceed $100 per violation per day may 
be adjudged. 
2. Action against pet shops, animal shelters and kennels. The department may 
file an action in District Court to revoke or suspend the license of a pet shop, boarding 
kennel, animal shelter or breeding kennel that violates any provision of this chapter 
pending an administrative hearing in accordance with' the provisions of the Maine ' 
Administrative Procedure Act. 
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Sec. 25. 17 MRSA § 10 11, su b-§ 17, as amended by PL 2007, c. 702, §40, is 
further amended to read: 
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17. Kennel.' "Kennel" means one pack or collection of 5 or more dogs or wolf 
hybtids kept in a single location under one ownership for, breeding, hunting, show, 
,training, field trials, mushing sledding competition or exhibition purposes; The sale or 
exchange of one litter of puppies within a 12-month period alone does not constitute the 
operation of a kennel. ' 
Sec. 26. 17 MRSA §1037, sub-§7, as enacted by PL 2005, c. 340, §4, is amended 
to read: 
7. 
Dogs confined by tethering for long time periods. 
In addition to the 
requirements of subs~ction 2, paragraph B, subparagraph (2), when tethering is the 
primary means of confinement for a dog, the standards for shelter and tethering are as 
follows: 
A. A shelter must be provided that is fully enclosed except for a portal. The portal 
must be of a sufficient size to allow the dog unimpeded passage into and out of the 
structure. For dogs other than arotio breeds dogs kept as sled dogs, the portal must be 
constructed in a manner that keeps with a baffle or other means of keeping wind and 
precipitation out of the interior. The shelter must lnwe be constructed of materials 
with a thermal resistance factor of 0.9 or greater and must contain clean bedding 
material sufficient to retain the dog's normal body heat; and 
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B. The chain or tether must be attached to both the dog and the anchor using swivels 
or similar devices that prevent the chain or tet~er from becoming entangled or 
twisted. The chain or tether must be attached to a well-fitted collar or harness on the 
. dog. For dogs other than arctic breeds· dogs kept as sled dogs, the chain or tether· 
must be at least 5 times the length of the dog measured from the tip of its nose to the 
base of its taiL For arctic breeds dogs kept as sled dogs; the chain or tether must be: 
'( 1) At least 2.5 times the length of the dog measured from the tip of its nose to 
the base of its tail if the anchor is stationary; or 
(2) At least 1.5 times the length of the dog measured from the tip of its nose to 
the base of its tail if the anchor is a pivot point allowing a 360' area of 
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movement. 
For the purposes of this subsection, "primary means of confinement" means the method 
used to confine a dogJor periods ottime that exceed 12 hours in a 24-hour period. For 
the purposes of this subsection, "ar~tic breeds" means Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Huskies, 
Alaskan Malamutes and other dogs with a double layered coat and bred to live in an 
arctic climate "dogs kept as sled dogs" means dogs regularly and consistently used in 
training or participation in competitive or recreational sled dog activities. 
SUMMARY 
This bill amends the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 7 and Title 17 as related to animal 
welfare by: 
. 1. Adding a position to the Animal Welfare Advisory Council to represent licensed 
breeding kennels; 
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z: Removing the Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources or the 
commissioner's designee as an ex officio member of the Animal Welfare Advisory 
Council; 
3. Changing the definition of "bmirding keimel" to include training facilities that 
board or keep animals while they are in training; 
4. Allowing humane agents to issue civil summons for violations of animal welfare 
laws; 
5. Allowing the commissioner to investigate complaints conceming. animal control 
officers and suspend or revoke their state~issued certification; 
6. Requiringanimal shelters tohave an adoption policy approved by the Department 
of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources in order tD be eligible for reimbursement of 
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fees for strays; 
7. R(::quiring the evaluation of suspected feral cats and reducing the holding period 
for feral cats to 24 hours; 
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8. Requiring animal shelters to send notice to the last known address of a person 
hospitalized or incarcerated; 
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9. 
Allowing the depaJiment to adopt rules to allow animal shelters to sell dog 
licenses; 
10. Adding animal shelters to the list of facilities that may not be owned by felons 
within 10 years of their convictions; 
11. Allowing the DepaJiment of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources to revoke or 
,suspend a facility license if that facility violates any quarantine or maintains animals 
contrary to the rules of the department, fails to keep records required or violates any 
provision of laws or rules of the Department ofInland Fisheries and Wildlife; 
12. Eliminating municipal dog license warrant procedures and establishing a year-
round late fee of $25; 
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13. Requiring municipalities to notify the, Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and 
Rural- Resources within 10 days of the appointment or vacancy of an animal, control 
officer; 
14; , Ensuring that any injured companion animal taken up by a law enforcement 
officer or animal control officer is given proper medical care; 
15. Increasing the fine for official refusal or neglect of duty by certain officials; , 
16. Clarifying the sheltering provisions for dogs kept as sled dogs; and 
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17. 
Allowing the' Depaliment of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources to 
investigate complaints against pet shops, animal shelters and kennels and to suspend or 
revoke licenses pending an administrative hearing as defined by the Maine 
Administrative Procedure Act.