By Nancy Nichols
Board Member
When you bring a new pet home there are more responsibilities than just taking care of them — as in health and feeding — there are legal responsibilities also.
If your dog barks one too many times at 3 a.m., causing a disturbance, you may find yourself on the wrong side of the law. Many animal owners are unfamiliar with existing laws and bring their pet home not knowing the potential legal issues that could arise as soon as they step out the animal shelter.
Ignorance of the law is no defense for an offender, so getting familiar with local laws (city ordinances) or state laws is important is recommended. If you have any questions, instead of assuming, contact your animal control officer.
Many local communities may have a dog barking ordinance or pet welfare ordinance in place. In many states, there are dog licensing requirements and a leash law, to name a couple.
These laws are easy to look up online. For the city of Presque Isle’s Pet Welfare Ordinance please refer Chapter 55 on the following link: www.presqueisle. govoffice2.com/ or Maine’s animal welfare link at: www.maine.gov/agriculture/aw/index.html for state laws.
When a dog bites, an owner is liable if their unreasonable carelessness caused the injury, or if they knew the dog had a tendency to cause that kind of injury. A state statute may make the owner liable whether or not they knew the dog would bite. Some states are requiring owners of certain breeds, such as Pit Bulls, to take precautions like muzzling and securely confining the dogs. Owners of these dogs might also be required to purchase additional insurance to cover any injuries the dog may cause.
If you’re serious and ready for all responsibilities of adopting a dog, please consider stopping by the Central Aroostook Humane Society’s shelter to adopt a dog. They are waiting for that perfect person to adopt them.
