PORTLAND – A West Bath girl who raised more than $12,000 to equip police dogs with bulletproof vests has been told by Maine Attorney General Steven Rowe that she was breaking the law.

Rowe determined that Kelly Davis’ fund-raising program violated a state law that prohibits police officers, private citizens or marketers from soliciting donations on behalf of law enforcement agencies.

Davis, who created Maine Vest-A-Dog in November 2000, hopes to be able to continue her effort.

“There are still 40 dogs out there who are unprotected. I want to help them,” the 12-year-old said.

Bath police were the first to benefit. Davis donated a bulletproof-stabproof vest to Apache, the department’s police dog, last February. The 3-pound Kevlar vest cost about $650.

Since then, Davis has bought another 18 bulletproof vests for dogs at law enforcement agencies across Maine.

In late September, Rowe’s office issued an opinion on public solicitations that benefit law enforcement agencies to clarify the types of fund-raising activities allowed under the law.

He met with Davis and her parents to explain his concerns. On Oct. 22, he advised the family that her actions violated state law. Rowe’s spokesman, Chuck Dow, says there was no ultimatum.

“He was very cordial and told Kelly that he admired her community spirit,” said her mother, Sally Davis.

Davis will not be prosecuted or asked to forfeit any of the funds she has raised to date. The vests she purchased can remain with the police departments.

“We told the Davises the law is going to be enforced from this point forward,” Dow said Friday. “We want to enforce this law evenly and fairly. We were not singling Kelly out.”

The ruling has disappointed some law enforcement officials who have praised the girl’s efforts. It has led a state senator to propose legislation exempting someone like Davis from the law.

Sen. Mary Small, the Senate Republican leader from Bath, said her bill would allow third-party, nonprofit groups to raise funds for law enforcement agencies.

She said the current law is too restrictive. A person, for example, could not hold a bone marrow drive for a police officer under existing regulations.

“We’re not trying to eliminate the law, but just open it up a bit to people like Kelly,” said Small.