An Act Pel1aining to the Possession of Animal Fighting Paraphernalia
Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 0186
Committee Amendment CA_A_H44 (House)
Amends: 17 MRSA §1033

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "/+" to H.P. 151, L.D. 186, Bill, "An Act 
Pel1aining to the Possession of Animal Fighting Paraphernalia" 
Amend the bill in section 2 in subsection 3 in the 3rd line (page I, line 9 in L.D.) by 
insel1ing after the following: "hunting" the following: " lawful animal competitions, field 
tests, field trials or shows' 
Amend the bill in section 2 in subsection 3 in the 4th line (page 1, line 10 in L.D.) by 
insel1ing before the following: "hunting dogs" the following: 'law enforcement or' 
Amend the bill by striking out all of section 4 (page I, lines 18 to 28 in L.D.) and 
insel1ing the following: 
'Sec. 4. 17 MRSA §1033, sub-§5 is enacted to read: 
5. Possession of animal fighting pal"aphernalia. A person is guilty of possession 
of animal fighting paraphernalia if that person possesses, manufactures for sale, ships, 
transp0l1s or delivers: 
A. An implement designed to be attached in place of a natural spur of a cock or other 
fighting bird in order to enhance the bird's fighting ability or ability to harm or kill 
another animal; or 
B. A device or equipment solely used to train or condition an animal for paJ1icipation 
in an animal fighting contest that the person knows or should have known is intended 
for use in an animal fighting show, exhibition, program or other activity featuring a 
fight between 2 or more animals, including, but not limited to, the following: a 
breaking stick, which is a device designed for insel1ion behind the molars of a dog for 
the purpose of breaking the dog's grip on another animal or object; a cat mill, which 
is a device that rotates around a central sllpp0l1 with one arm designed to secure a 
dog and one arm designed to secure a cat, rabbit or other small animal beyond the 
grasp of the dog; a springpole, which is a biting surface attached to a stretchable 
device, suspended at a height sufficient to prevent a dog from reaching the biting 
surface while touching the ground; a weighted or lInweighted chain collar weighing 
pounds or more; a leather or mesh collar with a strap more than 2 inches in width; 
Page I - 124LR0614(02)-J 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 'P "to H.P. 151, L.D. 186 
a fighting pit, which is a walled area designed to contain a dogfight; and unprescribed 
veterinary medicine that is a prescription drug.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment is the minority report of the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal 
Justice and Public Safety. The amendment does the following. 
1. 
It amends the affirmative defense to prosecution under the Maine Revised 
Statutes, Title 17, section 1 033 to include lawful animal competitions, field tests, field 
trials and shows and the training and use of law enforcement dogs. 
2. It amends the new crime of possession of animal fighting paraphernalia to limit its 
application to devices and equipment solely used to train or condition animals for fighting 
II 
and to situations in which a person knows or should have known the devices or 
equipment were intended for lise in an animal fighting show or exhibition. 
3. 
It also provides examples and descriptions of types of animal fighting 
paraphernalia. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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Approved: 03/17/09 frac:.. 
LD 186 
LR 614(02) 
An Act Pertaining to the Possession of Animal Fighting Paraphernalia 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment 'A" 
Committee: Criminal Justice and Public Safety 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Potential current biennium cost increase - General Fund 
Correctional and Judicial Impact Statements 
Increases the class of a crime from Class D to Class C 
Establishes new Class C crimes; increases correctional and judicial costs 
The average cost to state correctional facilities for one Class C crime incarceration is $80,655. 
There have been no charges filed for animal fighting offenses since 2002. 
LR0614(02) - Fiscal Note - Page I of I