AUGUSTA – Dogs running at large, dogs that bark and dogs that live their entire lives tethered or chained brought emotions to the forefront this week at the Legislature’s Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee.

Robert Fisk Jr., president of Maine Friends of Animals, testified in favor of LD 204, which would change significantly the shelter and tether requirements for dogs he calls “dogs chained for life.”

Fisk said that dogs chained outside in poor weather or under inhumane conditions are the most frequent complaint his group receives.

“Rarely do these chained or tethered dogs receive sufficient care. They suffer from sporadic feedings, overturned water bowls, frozen water bowls, inadequate shelter, and extremes in weather and temperature,” Fisk said.

Dogs are pack animals, Fisk told the committee, and when confined to a chain, their behavior suffers.

“There is no sadder sight than these outcast, forlorn, forgotten animals, relegated to the status of lawn ornaments and virtually ignored by the family,” Fisk said.

But there are exceptions, Sara Vanderwood, owner of Nooksack Racing, testified. She said the new requirements, if applied to her sled dogs, could put her out of business, and maintained that if existing animal abuse laws were enforced, the problem would be solved.

“I realize there are many irresponsible pet owners who chain their dogs in the back yard and forget about them. But we have rules in place to deal with those people,” she said.

Rep. Joanne Twomey, D-Biddeford, said that there was room for compromise and that Arctic dogs could be exempted. “Let’s work together on this,” Twomey said. “Let’s not pit dog lovers against dog lovers.”

The issue of barking dogs signaled a clash between the rural way of life and neighbors who move into farming areas.

When Wendy Pieh of Bremen hears her four Great Pyrenees guard dogs bark in the night, she feels safe that her flock of cashmere goats is being protected from coyotes, bears and predatory domestic dogs.

Her neighbors, however, just hear barking dogs. As more people move into rural areas, a move called sprawl, clashes are occurring over traditional farming methods.

Pieh, one of several people present who use dogs to guard livestock, testified this week before the Agriculture Committee that agriculture guard dogs should be exempted from local barking dog ordinances. Pieh and others suggested that the dogs be considered working animals, part of farm management.

“For the farmer, a good working dog is not an animal, but a very important, skilled farmhand,” testified Rep. A. David Trahan, R-Waldoboro, the bill’s sponsor.

Trahan told the committee that livestock no longer is the traditional dairy cow, that the 21st century farmer just as often is raising alpaca, red deer, bison, elk and sheep.

“Encounters between farmers and those seeking more solitude [and a] rural lifestyle are increasing,” Trahan said, and as more communities enact barking dog ordinances, farmers who use dogs for protection and daily chores need protection.

A work session on these bills is scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday, May 2.