§3936. Inspection and quarantine

1.  Inspection and quarantine.  The commissioner, a state humane agent, a veterinarian employed by the State or a licensed veterinarian at the direction of the commissioner may, at any reasonable time, enter an animal shelter, kennel, boarding kennel, breeding kennel or pet shop and make examinations and conduct any recognized tests for the existence of contagious or infectious diseases or conditions. If the animal shelter, kennel, boarding kennel, breeding kennel or pet shop is also used for human habitation, the person authorized to make examinations and conduct tests must be escorted by the owner, or the owner's agent, of the animal shelter, kennel, boarding kennel, breeding kennel or pet shop and the examinations and tests may be made only in those portions of the premises used as an animal shelter, kennel, boarding kennel, breeding kennel or pet shop. The commissioner may inspect animal shelters, kennels, boarding kennels, breeding kennels and pet shops in accordance with the sanitation and health rules established by the department and for compliance with laws and rules, including licensing and permitting requirements, of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife pertaining to wildlife importation and possession. In conducting inspections, measures established by the department through rulemaking must be used to prevent the spread of infectious and contagious diseases. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are major substantive rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. A veterinarian employed by the State or any licensed veterinarian may quarantine the animal shelter, kennel, boarding kennel, breeding kennel or pet shop, in person or by registered mail, and the quarantine must be maintained as long as the department determines necessary. The decision and order for this quarantine is not considered a licensing or an adjudicatory proceeding as defined by the Maine Administrative Procedure Act. The commissioner shall promptly notify the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife of violations.

[PL 2009, c. 403, §7 (AMD).]

2.  Suspension of license.  The department may, in accordance with Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 5, revoke or suspend a kennel, boarding kennel, breeding kennel, animal shelter or pet shop license if a person maintaining the kennel, boarding kennel, breeding kennel, animal shelter or pet shop violates any quarantine or maintains animals contrary to the rules adopted by the department, fails to keep records required by the department or violates any provision of the laws or rules of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife pertaining to wildlife importation and possession.

[PL 2009, c. 343, §18 (AMD).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 1987, c. 383, §3 (NEW). PL 1991, c. 779, §33 (AMD). PL 1993, c. 89, §1 (AMD). PL 1995, c. 490, §11 (AMD). PL 1997, c. 690, §24 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 547, §B78 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 547, §B80 (AFF). PL 2009, c. 343, §18 (AMD). PL 2009, c. 403, §7 (AMD).