Maine criminal charge
Animal fighting in Maine
Animal fighting is a criminal offense under Maine law, defined by 17 M.R.S. § 1033. Its classification is not fixed: Maine assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by 17 M.R.S. § 1033.
What is the penalty for animal fighting in Maine?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Animal fighting — A person who violates subsection 1 (owning/possessing/training an animal for fighting, causing animals to fight, or permitting such acts) commits this offense.; statutory default maximum (17-A M.R.S. §1604(1)(C)); individual statutes may specify a different maximum, and mandatory minimums apply to certain crimes (§1604(3))) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Animal fighting — A person who violates subsection 1 (owning/possessing/training an animal for fighting, causing animals to fight, or permitting such acts) commits this offense.; maximum for an individual (17-A M.R.S. §1704(3)); organizations up to $20,000 (§1705); statute-specific and alternative fines may exceed (§1706)) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Jail / prison | up to 364 days (Viewing animal fighting — A person who violates subsection 2 by knowingly being present where animal fighting preparations or exhibitions occur commits this offense.; the statutory maximum is 'less than one year' (17-A M.R.S. §1604(1)(D)); individual statutes may specify a different maximum) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Fine | up to $2,000 (Viewing animal fighting — A person who violates subsection 2 by knowingly being present where animal fighting preparations or exhibitions occur commits this offense.; maximum for an individual (17-A M.R.S. §1704(4)); organizations up to $10,000 (§1705); statute-specific fines may differ) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
Applies to current (PL 2019, c. 113 recodification).
How is animal fighting classified in Maine?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animal fighting | Class C Crime | A person who violates subsection 1 (owning/possessing/training an animal for fighting, causing animals to fight, or permitting such acts) commits this offense. | 17 M.R.S. § 1033(1-A) |
| Viewing animal fighting | Class D Crime | A person who violates subsection 2 by knowingly being present where animal fighting preparations or exhibitions occur commits this offense. | 17 M.R.S. § 1033(2-A) |
Common questions about animal fighting in Maine
What class of crime is animal fighting in Maine?
What are the penalties for animal fighting in Maine?
Penalties for animal fighting in Maine depend on how it is classified — from a Class D Crime up to a Class C Crime — with the ranges set by 17-A M.R.S. § 1604; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Maine statute covers animal fighting?
Animal fighting is governed by 17 M.R.S. § 1033 (Animal fighting).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.