On Thursday, February 6, 2025, the Maine Legislature’s Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry is scheduled to accept public testimony on LD 133, An Act to Amend the Laws Regarding Nuisance Dogs. The bill would (1) amend the definition of “nuisance dog” as it appears in Maine’s dangerous dog laws; (2) label any dog that excessively barks, howls, or yelps as a nuisance, unless someone is trespassing on the dog’s premises or the dog is engaged in law enforcement activities; and (3) authorize written complaints to law enforcement within 30 days of an individual’s peace disrupted by a dog’s barking, howling or yelping.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) respects the need to prevent breaches of the public peace, however LD 133 is overly restrictive and conflicts with the ability of cities and towns to adopt rules specific to their geography. Under Title 7 § 3950, each municipality is empowered to adopt ordinances, laws or regulations dealing with animals. By law, any municipal ordinance that prohibits or limits barking dogs cannot apply to dogs herding and protecting livestock or warning the owners of danger to the livestock. In addition, dogs engaged in lawful activities such as hunting, mushing or field trials are known to bark for extended periods of time. LD 133 could also result in false claims of excessive barking that are unsubstantiated.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: Maine residents are encouraged to register to testify via zoom or submit your testimony.
- Go to the Maine State Legislature website here and select “public hearing”.
- Scroll down to “Choose a committee” and select “Agriculture, Conservation And Forestry” from the drop-down menu.
- Select date “Feb 06, 2025, 9:00AM” and choose bill “LD 133 – An Act to Amend the Laws Regarding Nuisance Dogs”.
- Select your position as “oppose”. If you wish, you can add comments and/or upload written testimony in a file. You may also check the box allowing you to testify electronically over zoom. (A link will be sent to you.)
- Complete your contact information and hit the “submit/register” button.
You may also speak in person at the 9AM, February 6, 2025, public hearing. Sign in when you arrive at Room 214, Cross Building, 100 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333. Bring 20 copies of any written testimony you wish to submit to committee members.
For more information on these or other legislative issues in Maine, contact AKC’s Government Relations Department at 919-816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org.