Proposed Maine law packs bite for owners of dogs that attack

AUGUSTA — A Maine legislative committee has signed off on a proposal that requires dog owners to assist people who are attacked by their animals.

The bill requires the owner of a dog that assaults a person to get aid for the injured person, contain the dog and provide a name and contact information to the injured person. The rules would apply when a dog injures a person to the point where the wounds require medical attention.

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State Sen. Matthew Pouliot

The proposal from Republican Sen. Matt Pouliot of Kennebec County states that leaving an injured person without taking the appropriate measures would be a crime. Pouliot says he submitted the bill on behalf of a resident who was mauled by two dogs in a parking lot and received no help from the dogs’ owner.

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