An Act To Regulate the Keeping of Wolf Hybrids
Maine Legislature, Session 125, LD 0011
Committee: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Sponsors: TRAHAN
Amends: 7 MRSA §3931-B

Legislative Document 
No. 11 
S.P. 26 
In Senate, January 5, 2011 
An Act To Regulate the Keeping of Wolf Hybrids 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry suggested and 
ordered printed. 
JOSEPH G. CARLETON, JR. 
Secretary of the Senate 
Presented by Senator TRAHAN of Lincoln. 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, the keeping of wolf hybrids poses concerns for public safety; and 
Whereas, current regulation of wolf hybrid kennels does not provide adequate 
safeguards; and 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore, 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  7 MRSA §3931-B, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 129, §4, is repealed. 
Sec. 2.  7 MRSA §3931-B, sub-§2-A is enacted to read: 
2-A.  Kennel license required.  A person may not operate a wolf hybrid kennel 
without a license from the department.  To apply for a license, a person must submit a 
completed form provided by the department. The completed form must include the name 
of the person operating the kennel, the mailing address of the kennel, the road or street 
address of the kennel, a description of the facilities for sheltering and confining the wolf 
hybrids and the number of wolf hybrids kept at the time of application. The applicant 
must submit with the license application proof that each wolf hybrid has been 
permanently identified in accordance with section 3921-A. 
Sec. 3.  7 MRSA §3931-B, sub-§2-B is enacted to read: 
2-B.  Review of kennel license application; denial.  Upon receiving an application 
under subsection 2-A, the department shall forward a copy of the application to the 
Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife for review to assess the potential threat to 
public safety or a wildlife population. The department shall consult with the Department 
of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife prior to issuing a license. The department may deny a 
license based on a potential threat to wildlife or public safety. 
Sec. 4.  Transition.  The Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources 
shall issue a conditional license to a wolf hybrid kennel registered under the former 
Maine Revised Statutes, Title 7, section 3931-B, subsection 2 that applies for a wolf 
hybrid kennel license under Title 7, section 3931-B, subsection 2-A.  The conditional 
license remains in effect until the application materials have been reviewed by the 
Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife pursuant to Title 7, section 3931-B, 
subsection 2-B.  If public safety concerns arise during the review, the Department of 
Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources may revoke the conditional license pending an 
administrative proceeding held in accordance with Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 5. 
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This bill changes the registration requirement for a wolf hybrid kennel to a licensing 
requirement.  It directs the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources to 
consult with the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife on potential threats to 
wildlife and public safety prior to issuing a license.  It provides for the conditional 
licensure of kennels that were previously registered.