The following words when used in this article, shall have the
meanings given herein:
ANIMAL CARE FACILITY
An animal control center or animal shelter, maintained by
or under contract with any state, county, or municipality, whose mission
or practice is, in whole or significant part, protecting the welfare
of animals and the placement of animals in permanent homes or with
animal rescue organizations.
ANIMAL RESCUE ORGANIZATION
Any not-for-profit organization which has tax-exempt status
under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code,
whose mission and practice is, in whole or in significant part, the
rescue of animals and the placement of those animals in permanent
homes, and which does not obtain dogs or cats from a breeder or broker
for payment or compensation.
BREEDER
A person who maintains dogs or cats for the purpose of breeding
and selling their offspring.
BROKER
A person who transfers dogs or cats at wholesale for resale
by another.
CAT
A member of the Felis catus family.
DOG
A member of the Canis familiaris family, or resultant hybrid.
OFFER FOR SALE
To sell, offer for sale or adoption, barter, auction, give
away or otherwise dispose of a dog or cat.
PET SHOP
Any place or vehicle required to be licensed under 7 M.R.S.A.
§ 3933. Such definition shall not include an animal care
facility or animal rescue organization, as defined.
The provisions of this article may be enforced by any designated
representative of the Chief of Police or by any animal control officer.
Violation of this article shall be punished by a minimum penalty
of $250 for each violation. Each dog or cat offered for sale is a
separate violation.
In the event that any section, subsection or portion of this
article, or the application of such section, subsection or portion
of this article to any person or circumstance, shall be declared by
any competent court to be invalid for any reason, such decision shall
not be deemed to affect the validity of any other section, subsection
or portion of this article, or the applicability of such section,
subsection or portion of this article to other persons or circumstances.
The provisions of this article shall be effective 30 days after
passage.