Livestock pets focus of bill Amendments would protect ‘companion’ farm animals

AUGUSTA – Recognizing national studies that link animal abuse and domestic abuse, a proposed amendment to Maine’s animal welfare laws would give judges the power to include livestock pets in protection from abuse orders.

Another proposed amendment would create a Class D crime for anyone who endangers companion livestock.

The proposed law change was welcome news for Carol and Kathy Lehto of North Anson. Last April, the sisters’ pet llama, Ginger, was so badly beaten that it had to be euthanized.

No one was ever charged with injuring the animal, but if they had, it would only have been because of the value of her llama, Carol Lehto said Monday.

“She would have been treated as a piece of property,” she said. “This was a malicious crime, for no reason other than a cheap thrill. We’re for anything that strengthens the existing laws.”

The amendment is part of LD 1881, an overhaul of several provisions of the animal welfare regulations, proposed by the Maine Department of Agriculture. It creates a new definition of “companion livestock” and allows for penalties similar to those for companion animals under criminal and civil law.

Companion livestock, under the new law, would be livestock treated as pets – such as pot belly pigs and llamas – and not used for commercial or agricultural purposes.

The amendment also repeals the surcharge currently assessed for unneutered cats and dogs sold by a breeding kennel.

LD 1881 also amends the definition of breeding kennel to five or more dogs, cats or wolf hybrids, down from 16.

LD 1853, an Agriculture Department bill, simply mirrors the requirements of the federal animal identification system by creating the Maine Animal Identification Program. All livestock and poultry premises must be registered and individual animals tracked particularly to be prepared for national disease epidemics or cases of such illnesses as mad cow disease.

A public hearing on the bills will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23, in Room 206 of the State Office Building.