An Act To Strengthen the Law Regarding Dangerous Dogs
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 0858
Committee Amendment CA_A_H706 (House)
Amends: 7 MRSA §3907, 7 MRSA §3923-A, 7 MRSA §3925, 7 MRSA §3942, 7 MRSA §3947, 7 MRSA §3948, 7 MRSA §3952, 7 MRSA §3952-A, 7 MRSA §3954

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A,, to H.P. 607, L.D. 858, Bill, "An Act To 
Strengthen the Law Regarding Dangerous Dogs'' 
Amend the bill by strildng out the title and substituting the following: 
'An Act To Strengthen the Law Regarding Dangerous Dogs and Nuisance Dogs' 
Amend the bill by inserting after the title and before the enacting clause the 
following: 
'Mandate preamble, This measure requires one or more local units of government 
to expand or modify activities so as to necessitate additional expenditures from local 
revenues but does not provide funding for at least 90% of those expenditures. Pursuant to 
the Constitution of Maine, Article IX, Section 21, 2/3 of all of the members elected to 
each House have determined it necessary to enact this measure.' 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and before the 
summary and insetting the following: 
'Sec. 1. 7 MRSA §3907, sub-§8-B is enacted to read: 
8-B. Bodily injury. "Bodily injury" has the same meaning as in Title 17-A, section 
2, subsection 5. 
Sec. 2. 7 MRSA §3907, sub-§12-D, as amended by PL 2011, c. 100, §3, is 
repealed and the following enacted in its place: 
12-D. Dangerous dog. "Dangerous dog" means a dog or wolf hybrid that causes the 
death of or inflicts serious bodily injury on an individual or a domesticated animal who is 
not trespassing on the dog or wolf hybrid owner's or keeper's premises at the time of the 
injury or death: a dog or wolf hybrid that causes a reasonable and prudent person who is 
not on the dog or wolf hybrid owner's or keeper's premises and is acting in a reasonable 
and nonaggressive manner to fear imminent serious bodily injury by assaulting or 
threatening to assault that individual or individual's domesticated animal: or a dog or wolf 
hybrid that inflicts bodily injury on an individual or a domesticated animal who is not 
trespassing on the dog or wolf hybrid owner's or keeper's premises at the time of the 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A" to H.P. 607, L.D. 858 
injury and has previously been determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be a 
nuisance dog. 
"Dangerous dog" does not include: 
A. A dog certified by the State and used for law enforcement use; 
B. A dog or wolf hybrid that injures or threatens to assault an individual who is on 
the dog or wolf hybrid owner's or keeper's premises if the dog or wolf hybrid has no 
prior history of assault and was provoked by the individual immediately prior to the 
injury or threatened assault; or 
C. A dog or wolf hybrid that inflicts serious bodily injury on or causes the death of 
an individual who is committing a crime against an individual or property owned by 
the dog or wolf hybrid owner or keeper. 
For the pul'poses of this definition, "dog or wolf hybrid owner's or keeper's premises" 
means the residence or residences, including buildings and land and motor vehicles, 
belonging to the owner or keeper of the dog or wolf hybrid. 
Sec. 3. 7 MRSA §3907, sub-§20-A is enacted to read: 
20-A. Nuisance dog. "Nuisance dog" means a dog or wolf hybrid that causes bodily 
injury, other than serious bodily injury, to an individual or a domesticated animal who is 
not trespassing on the dog or wolf hybrid owner's or keeper's premises at the time of the 
injury; a dog or wolf hybrid that causes a reasonable and prudent person who is not on the 
dog or wolf hybrid owner's or keeper's premises and is acting in a reasonable and 
nonaggressive manner to fear bodily injury, other than serious bodily injury, by assaulting 
or threatening to assault that individual or individual's domesticated animal; or a dog or 
wolf hybrid that causes damage to property or crops not owned by the dog or wolf hybrid 
owner or keeper while the dog or wolf hybrid is not on the owner's or keeper's premises. 
"Nuisance dog" does not include: 
A. A dog certified by the State and used for law enforcement use; 
B. A dog or wolf hybrid that injures or threatens to assault an individual who is on 
the dog or wolf hybrid owner's or keeper's premises if the dog or wolf hybrid has no 
prior history of assault and was provoked by the individual immediately prior to the 
injury or threatened assault; or 
C. 
A dog or wolf hybrid that inflicts bodily injury on an individual who is 
committing a crime against an individual or property owned by the dog or wolf 
hybrid owner or keeper. 
For the purposes of this definition, "dog or wolf hybrid owner's or keeper's premises" 
m_eans the residence or residences, including buildings and land and motor vehicles, 
belonging to the owner or keeper of the dog or wolf hybrid. 
Sec. 4. 7 MRSA §3907, sub-§24-B is enacted to read: 
24-B. Serious bodily injury. "Serious bodily injury" has the same meaning as in 
Title 17-A, section 2, subsection 23. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A" to H.P. 607, L.D. 858 
Sec. 5. 7 MR.SA §3922, sub-§5, as amended by PL 1997, c. 704, §9, is further 
amended to read: 
5. Form of license. The license must state the breed, sex, color and markings of the 
dog, whether the animal is a dog or wolf hybrid, whether the dog has been determined by 
a court of competent jurisdiction to be a dangerous dog or a nuisance dog and the name 
and address of the owner or keeper. If the person applying for a license declares that the 
dog is a wolf hybrid, the license must state that the dog is a wolf hybrid. The license 
must be issued in triplicate and the original must be given to the applicant and the 
remaining 2 copies must be retained by the municipal clerk or dog recorder. 
Sec. 6. 7 MRSA §3923-A, sub-§5 is enacted to read: 
5. Dogs determined to be dangerous dogs or nuisance dogs by the court. The 
owner or keeper of a dog determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be a 
dangerous dog shall pay a fee of $100 to the municipal clerk or a dog licensing agent. The 
municipal clerk or dog licensing agent shall retain a $1 recording fee, deposit $98 in the 
municipality's animal welfare account established in accordance with section 3945 and 
pay the remaining $1 to the department for deposit in the Animal Welfare Fund. 
The owner or keeper of a dog determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be a 
nuisance dog shall pay a fee of $30 to the municipal clerk or a dog licensing agent. The 
municipal clerk or dog licensing agent shall retain a $1 recording fee, deposit $28 in the 
municipality's animal welfare account established in accordance with section 3945 and 
pay the remaining $1 to the department for deposit in the Animal Welfare Fund. 
A dog determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be a dangerous dog or a 
nuisance dog does not qualify for the exemptions from fees under subsection 3. 
An owner or keeper of a dog determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be a 
dangerous dog applying for a license for that dog after January 31st shall pay to the 
municipal clerk, dog licensing agent or dog recorder a late fee of $150 in addition to the 
annual license fee paid in accordance with this subsection. 
An owner or keeper of a dog determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be a 
nuisance dog applying for a license for that dog after January 31st shall pay to the 
municipal clerk, dog licensing agent or dog recorder a late fee of $70 in addition to the 
annual license fee paid in accordance with this subsection. 
The clerk, dog licensing agent or dog recorder shall deposit all late fees collected under 
this subsection into the municipality's animal welfare account established in accordance 
with section 3945. 
Sec. 7. 7 MRSA §3925 is enacted to read: 
§3925. Dog licensing database 
The department shall develop and implement a dog licensing database in coordination 
with any electronic dog licensing project implemented pursuant to section 3923-G. The 
database must track all dog licensing throughout the State and allow municipalities and 
animal control officers to reunite lost dogs with owners and track dogs that have been 
determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be dangerous dogs and nuisance dogs 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 607, L.D. 858 
pursuant to chapter 727. The department shall provide all municipalities and dgg 
licensing agents with access to the database at no cost. 
Sec. 8. 7 MRSA §3942, first 'J, as amended by PL 2015, c. 223, §11, is further 
amended to read: 
Municipal clerks shall issue dog licenses in accordance with chapter 721, receive the 
license fees and pay to the department $10 for dogs capable of producing young and $3 
from each license fee received for dogs incapable of producing young. The clerks shall 
keep a record of all licenses issued by them, with the names of the owners or keepers of 
dogs licensed and the sex, registered numbers and description of all dogs except those 
covered by a kennel license and whether the dogs have been determined by a court of 
competent jurisdiction to be dangerous dogs or nuisance dogs. The clerks shall make a 
monthly report to the department on a department-approved form of all dog licenses 
issued and fees received. 
Sec. 9. 7 MRSA §3947, first 'J, as amended by PL 2009, c. 343, §20, is further 
amended to read: 
Each municipality shall appoint one or more animal control officers whose duties are 
enforcement of sections 3911, 3912, 3916, 3921, 3924, 3948, 3950, 3950-A, ~ 
9 52-A and 4041 and Title 17, section 1023, responding to reports of animals suspected 
of having rabies in accordance with Title 22, sections 1313 and 1313-A and any other 
duties to control animals as the municipality may require. A municipality may appoint an 
employee of an animal shelter as an animal control officer as long as the person meets the 
qualifications and training requirements of this section. 
Sec. 10. 7 MRSA §3948, sub-§4 is enacted to read: 
4. Reporting. By January 31st of each year, a municipality shall report to the animal 
welfare program of the department all complaints related to animal control incidents for 
the prior calendar year. The report must include the number and type of animal 
complaints received and responded to by municipal animal control officers. law 
enforcement officers or municipal officials and the outcomes of each investigation. The 
reports must be on forms provided by the department. 
Sec. 11. 7 MRSA §3952, as amended by PL 2011, c. 559, Pt. A, §4, is repealed. 
Sec. 12. 7 MRSA §3952-A is enacted to read: 
§3952-A. Keeping a dangerous dog or a nuisance dog 
A person who owns or keeps a dog determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to 
be a dangerous dog or a nuisance dog commits a civil violation for which the court shall 
adjudge a fine of not less than $250 and not more than $5,000, plus costs, none of which 
may be suspended. All fines, other than costs. must be paid to the municipality where the 
dog resides pursuant to section 3910-A and be placed in the municipality's animal welfare 
account established in accordance with section 3945. 
1. Procedure. A person who is assaulted or threatened with bodily injury by a dog 
or a person witnessing such an assault or threatened assault against a person or 
domesticated animal or a person with knowledge of such an assault or threatened assault 
against a minor. or a person whose property or crops have been damaged by a dog, within 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ·A "to H.P. 607, L.D, 858 
days of the incident, may make written complaint to the sheriff, local law enforcement 
officer or animal control officer that the dog is a dangerous dog or a nuisance dog. For the 
purposes of this chapter, "domesticated animal" includes, but is not limited to, livestock 
as defined in section 3907, subsection 18-A. 
A representative of the sheriffs department, a local law enforcement officer or an animal 
control officer appointed by the municipality shall investigate and document the 
complaint. Upon completion of the investigation of the complaint, the investigator may 
issue a civil violation summons for keeping a dangerous dog or a nuisance dog. 
All records of the outcome of the investigation must be kept by the municipality for the 
life of the dog, plus 2 years. 
2. 
Dangerous dog finding. 
If, upon hearing, the court finds that a dog is a 
dangerous dog, the court shall impose a fine and may order any one or more of the 
following that the court determines is appropriate: 
A. Order the dog to be euthanized if the court finds that the dog: 
(1) Has killed, maimed or inflicted serious bodily injury upon a person or has a 
history of a prior assault or a prior finding by the court of being a dangerous dog: 
and 
(2) Presents a clear threat to public safety; 
B. Order that the owner or keeper of the dog, if that person has previously been 
adjudicated of having violated this section, may not own, possess or have on that 
person's premises any dogs for a period of time, which may be permanent: 
C. Order the owner or keeper of the dog, if the owner or keeper is allowed to keep 
the dog, or any other person keeping the dog, to post dangerous dog signs, visible 
from all directions and provided by the department, around the entrance of the 
premises where the dog resides and to notify in writing any service provider that has 
a reasonable expectation to be on the property that the dog has been determined to be 
a dangerous dog. The owner or keeper is responsible for the cost of the signs; 
D. Order the dog confined in a secure enclosure. For the purposes of this paragraph, 
"secure enclosure" means a fence or structure of at least 6 feet in height forming or 
making an enclosure suitable to prevent the entry of young children and suitable to 
confine a dangerous dog in conjunction with other measures that may be taken by the 
owner or keeper. The secure enclosure must be locked, be designed with secure sides 
and be designed to prevent the animal from escaping from the enclosure. The 
enclosure may also be designed with a secure top and bottom if determined necessary 
by the court. The court shall specify the length of the period of confinement and may 
order permanent confinement: 
E. Order that the owner or keeper of a dog confined to a secure enclosure pursuant to 
paragraph D may not allow the dog outside of the secure enclosure unless: 
(1) It is necessary to obtain veterinary care for the dog or to comply with orders 
of the court: and 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ·A "to H.P. 607, L.D. 858 
(2) The dog is securely muzzled with a basket-style muzzle, restrained by a leash 
not more than 3 feet in length with a minimum tensile strength of 300 pounds and 
under the direct control of the dog owner or keeper; 
F. Order the dog to be securely muzzled with a basket-style muzzle, restrained by a 
leash not more than 3 feet in length with a minimum tensile strength of 300 pounds 
and under the direct control of the dog owner or keeper whenever the dog is off the 
owner's or keeper's premises; 
G. Order the dog to be spayed or neutered; 
H. Order the dog to be microchipped within 60 days of the court order; 
I. Order the owner or keeper of the dog to obtain a minimum of $100,000 in liability 
insurance for the life of the dog; 
J. Order the owner or keeper of the dog to have the dog evaluated by a certified 
canine behaviorist or certified dog trainer and to attend dog training classes; and 
K. Order the owner or keeper of the dog to immediately notify the sheriff, a local law 
enforcement officer or an animal control officer if the dog escapes. 
The court may order restitution in accordance with Title 17-A, chapter 54 for any 
damages inflicted upon a person or a person's property by a dog determined to be a 
dangerous dog under this subsection. 
3. Nuisance dog finding. If, upon hearing, the court finds that a dog is a nuisance 
dog, the court shall impose a fine and may impose any of the penalties set forth in 
subsection 2, paragraphs F to K. A dog may be determined by a court to be a nuisance 
dog only once. After 2 years from the date of the court order finding that the dog is a 
nuisance dog, the owner or keeper may petition the court to amend or reduce any of the 
restrictions placed on the dog. The court may amend or reduce the restrictions placed on 
the dog if the owner or keeper demonstrates to the satisfaction of the court that the owner 
or keeper has complied with the court order and the dog no longer poses a risk as a 
nuisance dog. 
4. Identification and confinement of other dogs. 
In addition to orders imposed 
pursuant to subsections 2 and 3, the court may order that the owner or keeper of a 
dangerous dog or a nuisance dog: 
A. Provide the animal control officer in the municipality where the dangerous dog or 
nuisance dog is kept with photographs and descriptions of other dogs kept by that 
owner or keeper including the sex, breed, age, identifying markings and microchip 
numbers of each dog; and 
B. Confine any other dogs kept on the owner's or keeper's premises as provided in 
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subsection 2, paragraphs D and E. 
5. Failure to abide by court order. If the owner or keeper of a dog willfully fails to 
comply with any provision of a court order imposed pursuant to subsection 2, 3 or 4, the 
court shall find the owner or keeper in contempt. 
If the court order imposed pursuant to subsection 2, paragraph A is not complied with 
within the time set by the court, the court may, upon application by the complainant 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 607, L.D. 858 
under subsection 1 or other person, issue a warrant to the sheriff or any of the sheriffs 
. 
; 
. . 
. 
deputies or to a local law enforcement officer or constable in the municipality where the 
dog is found, commanding the officer to have the dog humanely euthanized and make a 
return of the warrant to the court within 14 days from the date of the warrant. 
The owner or keeper must be ordered to pay all costs of supplementary proceedings and 
all reasonable costs for seizure and euthanasia of the dog. 
6. Dogs presenting immediate or continuing threat to public. After issuing a 
summons 12ursuant to subsection 1 and before hearing, if the dog poses an immediate or 
continuing threat to the public, a sheriff, local law enforcement officer or animal control 
officer shall give a written order reguiring the owner or keeper of the dog to muzzle with 
a basket-style muzzle, restrain or confine the dog to the owner's or keeper's premises or to 
have the dog confined at the owner's or keeper's expense at a place determined by the 
sheriff, local law enforcement officer or animal control officer. If an owner or keeper of a 
dog fails to comply with the written order, the sheriff, local law enforcement officer or 
animal control officer may apply to the District Court, the Superior Court or a justice of 
the peace for an ex parte order for authorization to take possession of the dog that poses 
an immediate or continuing threat to the public and tum the dog over to the applicant or 
other suitable person. 
A dog owner or keeper who fails to abide by the written order commits a civil violation 
for which a fine of not less than $50 and not more than $200 may be adjudged for each 
day of noncompliance. 
7. Ex parte. An order may be entered ex parte upon findings by the court or justice 
of the peace when: 
A. The dog has inflicted serious bodily injury; or 
B. There is a reasonable likelihood that the dog is dangerous or vicious and: 
(1) Its owner has failed to muzzle, restrain or confine the dog; and 
(2) That failure poses an immediate threat of harm to the public. 
8. Modify order. An order under subsection 7 may be modified by the court. 
A. Upon 2 days' notice or a shorter period the court may prescribe, the owner or 
keeper whose dog has been possessed pursuant to an ex parte order may appear in the 
District Court or the Superior Court and move for the dissolution or modification of 
the ex parte order. 
B. The court shall hear and determine the motion, and the hearing may be advanced 
on the docket and receive priority over other cases when the court determines that the 
interests of justice so require. 
C. 
The owner or keeper shall submit an affidavit setting forth specific facts to 
substantiate the modification or dissolution of the order. The applicant has the burden 
of presenting evidence to substantiate the original findings. 
9. Lien. Any person taking possession of a dog as provided in this section has a lien 
on that dog in accordance with Title 17, section 1021, subsection 6. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A 
"to H.P. 607, L.D. 858 
~: 
10. Treble damages. If a dog whose owner or keeper refuses or neglects to comply 
with an order under this section wounds any person by a sudden assault or wounds or 
kills any domesticated animal, the owner or keeper shall pay the person injured treble 
damages and costs to be recovered by a civil action. 
11. Class D crime. If the owner or keeper of a dog refuses or neglects to comply 
with an order issued under subsection 21 3, 4 or 71 the owner or keeper commits a Class D 
crime. The court, as part of the judgment, may prohibit a person convicted under this 
subsection from owning or possessing a dog or having a dog on that person1s premises for 
a period oftime. The prohibition may be permanent. 
12. Duty of owner or keeper to notify. The owner or keeper of a dog determined by 
a court of competent jurisdiction to be a dangerous dog or a nuisance dog shall notify the 
municipality in which the dog resides in writing and within 30 days if ownership of the 
dog is transferred, the residence of the dog is changed or the dog is deceased. 
Sec. 13. 7 MRSA §3954 is enacted to read: 
§3954. Prohibitions on dangerous dogs and nuisance dogs 
1. Prohibitions. A person may not: 
A. Train or encourage a dog that is not directly involved with a protection dog 
training program recognized by the Department of Public Safety, Bureau of State 
Police to be aggressive toward or attack another person or domesticated animal: 
B. Transfer ownership of a dog determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be 
a dangerous dog without the permission of the court, unless the transfer is to an 
animal control officer or an animal shelter that has a contract with a municipality to 
euthanize the dog for the municipality; or 
C. Tether a dog determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be a dangerous 
dog or a nuisance dog. 
2. Penalty. A person who violates subsection 1 commits a civil violation for which 
a fine not to exceed $100 may be adjudged in addition to comt costs. 
Sec. 14. Maine Revised Statutes headnote amended; revision clause. In 
the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 7, chapter 727, in the chapter headnote, the words 
11dangerous dogs
are amended to read 
11dangerous dogs and nuisance dogs
and the 
Revisor of Statutes shall implement this revision when updating, publishing or 
republishing the statutes. 
Sec. 15. 
Implementation of dog licensing database. The Department of 
Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry shall develop and implement the dog licensing 
database pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 7, section 3925 within one year of 
the effective date of this Act. 1 
SUMMARY 
8 
This amendment, which is the unanimous report of the committee, does the 
following. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A "to H.P. 607, L.D. 858 
1. It amends the definition of 
11dangerous dog" to mean a dog or wolf hybrid that 
causes the death of or inflicts serious bodily injury on an individual or a domesticated 
animal who is not trespassing on the dog or wolf hybrid owner's or keeper's premises at 
the time of the injury or death; a dog or wolf hybrid that causes a reasonable and prudent 
person who is not on the dog or wolf hybrid owner's or keeper's premises and is acting in 
a reasonable and nonaggressive manner to fear imminent serious bodily injury by 
assaulting or threatening to assault that individual or individual's domesticated animal; or 
a dog that inflicts bodily injury on an individual or a domesticated animal who is not 
trespassing on the dog owner's or keeper's premises at the time of the injury and has 
previously been determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be a nuisance dog. 
2. It adds a new designation and definition of "nuisance dog" to mean a dog or wolf 
hybrid that causes bodily injury, other than serious bodily injury, to an individual or a 
domesticated animal who is not trespassing on the dog or wolf hybrid owner's or keeper's 
premises at the time of the injury; a dog or wolf hybrid that causes a reasonable and 
prudent person who is not on the dog or wolf hybrid owner's or keeper's premises and is 
acting in a reasonable and nonaggressive manner to fear bodily injury, other than serious 
bodily injury, by assaulting or threatening to assault that individual or individual's 
domesticated animal; or a dog or wolf hybrid that causes damage to property or crops not 
owned by the dog or wolf hybrid owner or keeper while the dog or wolf hybrid is not on 
the owner's or keeper's premises. 
3. It provides that the fee for a dangerous dog license is $100, the fee for a nuisance 
dog license is $30 and alUicenses that are issued must state whether the dog has been 
determined by the court to be a dangerous dog or a nuisance dog. 
4. It directs the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to develop and 
implement a dog licensing database within one year of the effective date of this 
legislation. 
5. It prohibits a person from training or encouraging a dog that is not directly 
involved with a protection dog training program recognized by the Department of Public 
Safety, Bureau of State Police to be aggressive toward or attack another person or 
domesticated animal; transferring ownership of a dog determined by a court to be a 
dangerous dog without the permission of the court, unless the transfer is to an animal 
control officer or an animal shelter that has a contract with a municipality to euthanize the 
dog for the municipality or tethering a dog determined by a court of competent 
jurisdiction to be a dangerous dog or a nuisance dog. A violation is a civil violation for 
which a fine not to exceed $100 may be adjudged in addition to court costs. 
6. It raises the maximum fine that the court may order for a dog determined to be a 
dangerous dog or nuisance dog to $5,000 and expands the list of penalties that the court 
may order if the court determines the dog to be a dangerous dog or a nuisance dog. 
7. It adds that an owner 01· keeper of a dog who violates a court order entered 
pursuant to a dangerous dog or a nuisance dog finding is in civil contempt of court and 
adds that a violation of a court order of the expanded list of penalties by a dog owner is a 
Class D crime. 
8. It adds that the owner or keeper of a dog determined by a court to be a dangerous 
dog or a nuisance dog is required to notify the municipality in which the dog resides in 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT"~ "to H.P. 607, L.D. 858 
writing and within 30 days if ownership of the dog is transferred, the residence of the dog 
is changed or the dog is deceased. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Revised: 03/26/18 7..7/LZC 
LD 858 
LR 283(02) 
An Act To Strengthen the Law Regarding Dangerous Dogs 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment ,A,{(/~ 70~) 
Committee: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
State Mandate - Exempted 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Minor revenue increase - General Fund 
Minor revenue increase - Other Special Revenue Funds 
Correctional and Judicial Impact Statements 
Establishes new civil violations. 
Establishes new Class D crimes. 
The collection of additional fines may also increase General Fund revenue by minor amounts. 
State Mandates 
Required Activity 
Requires municipalities to keep records of dogs determined by a court to be 
dangerous or a nuisance. Requires municipalities to report all complaints of 
dangerous and nuisance dogs and the outcomes of investigations. 
Unit Affected 
Municipality 
County 
Local Cost 
Insignificant 
statewide 
Pursuant to the Mandate Preamble, the two-thirds vote of all members elected to each House exempts the State from 
the constitutional requirement to fund 90% of the additional costs. 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
This bill amends current laws regarding dangerous dogs and animal welfare by updating various definitions, defining 
1mmicipal authority and responsibilities and creating a dangerous dog licensing program. Because the Department of 
Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (ACF) already maintains an online dog licensing program, any additional 
costs as a result of the additional dangerous dog licensing requirements in this bill are anticipated to be minor and can 
be absorbed within existing budgeted resources. The dangerous dog licensing requirements will also result in a minor 
Other Special Revenue Funds revenue increase to the ACF Animal Welfare Fund and to local municipal animal 
welfare funds. 
LR0283(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1