Maine § 17 §1033 Animal fighting

Maine Statutes

§ 17 §1033 — Animal fighting

Maine § 17 §1033

Title 17CRIMES

Ch. 42ANIMAL WELFARE

This text of Maine § 17 §1033 (Animal fighting) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Maine primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17, § 17 §1033 (2026).

Text

1.Animal fighting. A person is guilty of animal fighting if that person knowingly: 1-A. Penalty. A person who violates subsection 1 commits a Class C crime. In addition to any other penalty authorized by law, the court shall impose a fine of not less than $500 for each violation of subsection 1.

2.Viewing animal fighting. A person is guilty of viewing animal fighting if that person knowingly is present at any place or building where preparations are being made for an exhibition of the fighting of animals or is present at such an exhibition. 2-A. Penalty. A person who violates subsection 2 commits a Class D crime.

3.Affirmative defense. It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under subsections 1 and 2 that the activity charged involves the possession, training, exhibition or use of a

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1.
Animal fighting.
A person is guilty of animal fighting if that person knowingly:
1-A.
Penalty.
A person who violates subsection 1 commits a Class C crime. In addition to any other penalty authorized by law, the court shall impose a fine of not less than $500 for each violation of subsection 1.
2.
Viewing animal fighting.
A person is guilty of viewing animal fighting if that person knowingly is present at any place or building where preparations are being made for an exhibition of the fighting of animals or is present at such an exhibition.
2-A.
Penalty.
A person who violates subsection 2 commits a Class D crime.
3.
Affirmative defense.
It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under subsections 1 and 2 that the activity charged involves the possession, training, exhibition or use of an animal in the otherwise lawful sport of animal hunting and the training or use of hunting dogs. It is also an affirmative defense that the defendant's conduct involved the use of live animals as bait or in the training of other animals in accordance with the laws of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Title 12, Part 13.
4.
Exception.
Activity involving the possession, training, exhibition or use of an animal in the otherwise lawful pursuits of hunting, farming and security services is exempt from subsections 1 and 2.

Legislative History

PL 1987, c. 383, §4 (NEW). PL 1997, c. 690, §72 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 414, §B33 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 414, §D7 (AFF). PL 2003, c. 452, §§I23-26 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 452, §X2 (AFF). PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).