Maine criminal charge
Cruelty to animals in Maine
Current through 2026 Maine legislative session
Cruelty to animals is a criminal offense under Maine law, defined by 17 M.R.S. § 1031. 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. § 1031.
What is the penalty for cruelty to animals in Maine?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 364 days (Killing another's animal — Killing or attempting to kill an animal belonging to another without consent or legal privilege.; 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 (Killing another's animal — Killing or attempting to kill an animal belonging to another without consent or legal privilege.; 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 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Killing another's animal — repeat offender — Violation of paragraph A with 2 or more prior convictions for this section, section 1032, or similar crimes elsewhere.; 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 (Killing another's animal — repeat offender — Violation of paragraph A with 2 or more prior convictions for this section, section 1032, or similar crimes elsewhere.; 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 (Non-instantaneous killing by non-veterinarian — A person other than a licensed veterinarian or certified person kills or attempts to kill an animal by a method not causing instantaneous death.; 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 (Non-instantaneous killing by non-veterinarian — A person other than a licensed veterinarian or certified person kills or attempts to kill an animal by a method not causing instantaneous death.; 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 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Non-instantaneous killing by non-veterinarian — repeat offender — Violation of paragraph B with 2 or more prior convictions for this section, section 1032, or similar crimes elsewhere.; 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 (Non-instantaneous killing by non-veterinarian — repeat offender — Violation of paragraph B with 2 or more prior convictions for this section, section 1032, or similar crimes elsewhere.; 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 (Non-conforming killing by veterinarian — A licensed veterinarian or certified person kills or attempts to kill an animal by a method not conforming to national veterinary standards.; 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 (Non-conforming killing by veterinarian — A licensed veterinarian or certified person kills or attempts to kill an animal by a method not conforming to national veterinary standards.; 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 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Non-conforming killing by veterinarian — repeat offender — Violation of paragraph C with 2 or more prior convictions for this section, section 1032, or similar crimes elsewhere.; 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 (Non-conforming killing by veterinarian — repeat offender — Violation of paragraph C with 2 or more prior convictions for this section, section 1032, or similar crimes elsewhere.; 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 (Injuring, torturing, poisoning, or drugging an animal — Injuring, overworking, torturing, tormenting, abandoning, cruelly beating, mutilating, drugging, or poisoning an animal.; 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 (Injuring, torturing, poisoning, or drugging an animal — Injuring, overworking, torturing, tormenting, abandoning, cruelly beating, mutilating, drugging, or poisoning an animal.; 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 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Injuring, torturing, poisoning, or drugging an animal — repeat offender — Violation of paragraph D with 2 or more prior convictions for this section, section 1032, or similar crimes elsewhere.; 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 (Injuring, torturing, poisoning, or drugging an animal — repeat offender — Violation of paragraph D with 2 or more prior convictions for this section, section 1032, or similar crimes elsewhere.; 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 5 years (Abandonment resulting in death — Abandoning an animal in violation of paragraph D where the animal dies as a result.; 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 (Abandonment resulting in death — Abandoning an animal in violation of paragraph D where the animal dies as a result.; 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 (Deprivation of necessary care — Depriving an owned or possessed animal of necessary sustenance, medical attention, shelter, weather protection, or humane conditions.; 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 (Deprivation of necessary care — Depriving an owned or possessed animal of necessary sustenance, medical attention, shelter, weather protection, or humane conditions.; 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 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Deprivation of necessary care — repeat offender — Violation of paragraph E with 2 or more prior convictions for this section, section 1032, or similar crimes elsewhere.; 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 (Deprivation of necessary care — repeat offender — Violation of paragraph E with 2 or more prior convictions for this section, section 1032, or similar crimes elsewhere.; 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 (Leaving animal on barren island in winter — Keeping or leaving a domestic animal on an uninhabited coastal island during Dec–Mar without necessary sustenance and shelter.; 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 (Leaving animal on barren island in winter — Keeping or leaving a domestic animal on an uninhabited coastal island during Dec–Mar without necessary sustenance and shelter.; 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 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Leaving animal on barren island in winter — repeat offender — Violation of paragraph F with 2 or more prior convictions for this section, section 1032, or similar crimes elsewhere.; 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 (Leaving animal on barren island in winter — repeat offender — Violation of paragraph F with 2 or more prior convictions for this section, section 1032, or similar crimes elsewhere.; 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 (Illegal hunting or trapping — Hunting, trapping, or selling an animal for hunting purposes outside permitted legal exceptions.; 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 (Illegal hunting or trapping — Hunting, trapping, or selling an animal for hunting purposes outside permitted legal exceptions.; 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 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Illegal hunting or trapping — repeat offender — Violation of paragraph G with 2 or more prior convictions for this section, section 1032, or similar crimes elsewhere.; 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 (Illegal hunting or trapping — repeat offender — Violation of paragraph G with 2 or more prior convictions for this section, section 1032, or similar crimes elsewhere.; 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 (Performance-enhancing substance injection — Injecting, inserting, or causing ingestion of a substance solely to enhance performance by harmfully altering an animal's metabolism.; 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 (Performance-enhancing substance injection — Injecting, inserting, or causing ingestion of a substance solely to enhance performance by harmfully altering an animal's metabolism.; 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 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Performance-enhancing substance injection — repeat offender — Violation of paragraph H with 2 or more prior convictions for this section, section 1032, or similar crimes elsewhere.; 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 (Performance-enhancing substance injection — repeat offender — Violation of paragraph H with 2 or more prior convictions for this section, section 1032, or similar crimes elsewhere.; 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 5 years (Bestiality — repeat offender — Violation of paragraph I (bestiality) with 2 or more prior convictions for this section, section 1032, or similar crimes elsewhere.; 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 (Bestiality — repeat offender — Violation of paragraph I (bestiality) with 2 or more prior convictions for this section, section 1032, or similar crimes elsewhere.; 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 (Killing or torturing to intimidate a person — Killing or torturing an animal to frighten or intimidate a person, or forcing a person to injure or kill an animal.; 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 (Killing or torturing to intimidate a person — Killing or torturing an animal to frighten or intimidate a person, or forcing a person to injure or kill an animal.; 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 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Killing or torturing to intimidate a person — repeat offender — Violation of paragraph J with 2 or more prior convictions for this section, section 1032, or similar crimes elsewhere.; 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 (Killing or torturing to intimidate a person — repeat offender — Violation of paragraph J with 2 or more prior convictions for this section, section 1032, or similar crimes elsewhere.; 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 (Confining animal in extreme temperatures — Confining an animal in a building, enclosure, or vehicle where extreme heat or cold will be harmful to its health.; 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 (Confining animal in extreme temperatures — Confining an animal in a building, enclosure, or vehicle where extreme heat or cold will be harmful to its health.; 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 |
| Jail / prison | up to 364 days (Killing a cat or dog — Killing or attempting to kill a cat or dog, subject to exceptions in subsections 1-D and 1-E.; 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 (Killing a cat or dog — Killing or attempting to kill a cat or dog, subject to exceptions in subsections 1-D and 1-E.; 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 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Killing a cat or dog — repeat offender — Violation of paragraph A of subsection 1-C with 2 or more prior convictions for this section, section 1032, or similar crimes elsewhere.; 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 (Killing a cat or dog — repeat offender — Violation of paragraph A of subsection 1-C with 2 or more prior convictions for this section, section 1032, or similar crimes elsewhere.; 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 |
Applies to current (PL 2019, c. 113 recodification).
How is cruelty to animals classified in Maine?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Killing another's animal | Class D Crime | Killing or attempting to kill an animal belonging to another without consent or legal privilege. | 17 M.R.S. § 1031(1)(A) |
| Killing another's animal — repeat offender | Class C Crime | Violation of paragraph A with 2 or more prior convictions for this section, section 1032, or similar crimes elsewhere. | 17 M.R.S. § 1031(1)(A-1) |
| Non-instantaneous killing by non-veterinarian | Class D Crime | A person other than a licensed veterinarian or certified person kills or attempts to kill an animal by a method not causing instantaneous death. | 17 M.R.S. § 1031(1)(B) |
| Non-instantaneous killing by non-veterinarian — repeat offender | Class C Crime | Violation of paragraph B with 2 or more prior convictions for this section, section 1032, or similar crimes elsewhere. | 17 M.R.S. § 1031(1)(B-1) |
| Non-conforming killing by veterinarian | Class D Crime | A licensed veterinarian or certified person kills or attempts to kill an animal by a method not conforming to national veterinary standards. | 17 M.R.S. § 1031(1)(C) |
| Non-conforming killing by veterinarian — repeat offender | Class C Crime | Violation of paragraph C with 2 or more prior convictions for this section, section 1032, or similar crimes elsewhere. | 17 M.R.S. § 1031(1)(C-1) |
| Injuring, torturing, poisoning, or drugging an animal | Class D Crime | Injuring, overworking, torturing, tormenting, abandoning, cruelly beating, mutilating, drugging, or poisoning an animal. | 17 M.R.S. § 1031(1)(D) |
| Injuring, torturing, poisoning, or drugging an animal — repeat offender | Class C Crime | Violation of paragraph D with 2 or more prior convictions for this section, section 1032, or similar crimes elsewhere. | 17 M.R.S. § 1031(1)(D-1) |
| Abandonment resulting in death | Class C Crime | Abandoning an animal in violation of paragraph D where the animal dies as a result. | 17 M.R.S. § 1031(1)(D-2) |
| Deprivation of necessary care | Class D Crime | Depriving an owned or possessed animal of necessary sustenance, medical attention, shelter, weather protection, or humane conditions. | 17 M.R.S. § 1031(1)(E) |
| Deprivation of necessary care — repeat offender | Class C Crime | Violation of paragraph E with 2 or more prior convictions for this section, section 1032, or similar crimes elsewhere. | 17 M.R.S. § 1031(1)(E-1) |
| Leaving animal on barren island in winter | Class D Crime | Keeping or leaving a domestic animal on an uninhabited coastal island during Dec–Mar without necessary sustenance and shelter. | 17 M.R.S. § 1031(1)(F) |
| Leaving animal on barren island in winter — repeat offender | Class C Crime | Violation of paragraph F with 2 or more prior convictions for this section, section 1032, or similar crimes elsewhere. | 17 M.R.S. § 1031(1)(F-1) |
| Illegal hunting or trapping | Class D Crime | Hunting, trapping, or selling an animal for hunting purposes outside permitted legal exceptions. | 17 M.R.S. § 1031(1)(G) |
| Illegal hunting or trapping — repeat offender | Class C Crime | Violation of paragraph G with 2 or more prior convictions for this section, section 1032, or similar crimes elsewhere. | 17 M.R.S. § 1031(1)(G-1) |
| Performance-enhancing substance injection | Class D Crime | Injecting, inserting, or causing ingestion of a substance solely to enhance performance by harmfully altering an animal's metabolism. | 17 M.R.S. § 1031(1)(H) |
| Performance-enhancing substance injection — repeat offender | Class C Crime | Violation of paragraph H with 2 or more prior convictions for this section, section 1032, or similar crimes elsewhere. | 17 M.R.S. § 1031(1)(H-1) |
| Bestiality — repeat offender | Class C Crime | Violation of paragraph I (bestiality) with 2 or more prior convictions for this section, section 1032, or similar crimes elsewhere. | 17 M.R.S. § 1031(1)(I-1) |
| Killing or torturing to intimidate a person | Class D Crime | Killing or torturing an animal to frighten or intimidate a person, or forcing a person to injure or kill an animal. | 17 M.R.S. § 1031(1)(J) |
| Killing or torturing to intimidate a person — repeat offender | Class C Crime | Violation of paragraph J with 2 or more prior convictions for this section, section 1032, or similar crimes elsewhere. | 17 M.R.S. § 1031(1)(J-1) |
| Confining animal in extreme temperatures | Class D Crime | Confining an animal in a building, enclosure, or vehicle where extreme heat or cold will be harmful to its health. | 17 M.R.S. § 1031(1)(K) |
| Killing a cat or dog | Class D Crime | Killing or attempting to kill a cat or dog, subject to exceptions in subsections 1-D and 1-E. | 17 M.R.S. § 1031(1-C)(A) |
| Killing a cat or dog — repeat offender | Class C Crime | Violation of paragraph A of subsection 1-C with 2 or more prior convictions for this section, section 1032, or similar crimes elsewhere. | 17 M.R.S. § 1031(1-C)(B) |
Common questions about cruelty to animals in Maine
What class of crime is cruelty to animals in Maine?
It depends on the circumstances: cruelty to animals ranges from a Class D Crime to a Class C Crime in Maine under 17 M.R.S. § 1031.
Killing another's animal: Class D Crime (17 M.R.S. § 1031(1)(A)) · Killing another's animal — repeat offender: Class C Crime (17 M.R.S. § 1031(1)(A-1)) · Non-instantaneous killing by non-veterinarian: Class D Crime (17 M.R.S. § 1031(1)(B)) · Non-instantaneous killing by non-veterinarian — repeat offender: Class C Crime (17 M.R.S. § 1031(1)(B-1)) · Non-conforming killing by veterinarian: Class D Crime (17 M.R.S. § 1031(1)(C)) · Non-conforming killing by veterinarian — repeat offender: Class C Crime (17 M.R.S. § 1031(1)(C-1)) · Injuring, torturing, poisoning, or drugging an animal: Class D Crime (17 M.R.S. § 1031(1)(D)) · Injuring, torturing, poisoning, or drugging an animal — repeat offender: Class C Crime (17 M.R.S. § 1031(1)(D-1)) · Abandonment resulting in death: Class C Crime (17 M.R.S. § 1031(1)(D-2)) · Deprivation of necessary care: Class D Crime (17 M.R.S. § 1031(1)(E)) · Deprivation of necessary care — repeat offender: Class C Crime (17 M.R.S. § 1031(1)(E-1)) · Leaving animal on barren island in winter: Class D Crime (17 M.R.S. § 1031(1)(F)) · Leaving animal on barren island in winter — repeat offender: Class C Crime (17 M.R.S. § 1031(1)(F-1)) · Illegal hunting or trapping: Class D Crime (17 M.R.S. § 1031(1)(G)) · Illegal hunting or trapping — repeat offender: Class C Crime (17 M.R.S. § 1031(1)(G-1)) · Performance-enhancing substance injection: Class D Crime (17 M.R.S. § 1031(1)(H)) · Performance-enhancing substance injection — repeat offender: Class C Crime (17 M.R.S. § 1031(1)(H-1)) · Bestiality — repeat offender: Class C Crime (17 M.R.S. § 1031(1)(I-1)) · Killing or torturing to intimidate a person: Class D Crime (17 M.R.S. § 1031(1)(J)) · Killing or torturing to intimidate a person — repeat offender: Class C Crime (17 M.R.S. § 1031(1)(J-1)) · Confining animal in extreme temperatures: Class D Crime (17 M.R.S. § 1031(1)(K)) · Killing a cat or dog: Class D Crime (17 M.R.S. § 1031(1-C)(A)) · Killing a cat or dog — repeat offender: Class C Crime (17 M.R.S. § 1031(1-C)(B))
What are the penalties for cruelty to animals in Maine?
Penalties for cruelty to animals 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 cruelty to animals?
Cruelty to animals is governed by 17 M.R.S. § 1031 (Cruelty to animals).
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.