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Maine State Service Dog Laws
This is a summarized version of state laws regarding service dogs in Maine. Please refer to the full statutes for detailed information
Public Accommodation
Service dogs. Every person who is totally or partially blind or otherwise physically or mentally disabled has the right to be accompanied by a service dog, specially trained for the purpose, in any of the places listed in subsection 2 without being required to pay an extra charge for the service dog; however, the person is liable for any damage done to the premises or facilities by such a dog.
Specially trained service dog trainer; access to public facilities; responsibilities. A specially trained service dog trainer, while engaged in the actual training process and activities of service dogs, has the same rights, privileges and responsibilities described in this section with respect to access to and use of public facilities as are applicable to persons who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise physically or mentally disabled.
Housing accommodations; persons with service dogs. Every person who is blind or visually impaired or otherwise physically or mentally disabled who has a service animal, such as a service dog, is entitled to full and equal access to all housing accommodations provided for in this section. Persons who are blind or visually impaired or otherwise physically or mentally disabled may not be required to pay extra compensation to keep service animals. A person who is blind or visually impaired or otherwise physically or mentally disabled is liable for any damages done to the premises by the service animal.
Public facilities; other rights. A person, firm or corporation or the agent of a person, firm or corporation may not:
A. Deny or interfere with admittance to or enjoyment of the public facilities described in section 1312; or
B. Otherwise interfere with the rights of a person who is totally or partially blind or a person with other disabilities under section 1312.
Penalty. Violation of this section is a Class E crime. Violation of this section is a strict liability crime as defined in Title 17‑A, section 34, subsection 4‑A
SDiT Access
Service dogs in training have equal access to public spaces as trained service dogs
Definitions
Maine only recognizes dogs as service animals, but must comply with the minimum standards set forth by the ADA that recognize dogs and miniature horses as service animals.
Harassment or Interference
A person who owns or keeps a dog that attacks, injures or kills a service animal or assistance animal while the service animal or assistance animal is in discharge of its duties commits a civil violation for which a forfeiture of not more than $1,000 may be adjudged.
When a person is adjudicated of a violation of this section, the court shall order the person to make restitution to the owner of the service animal or assistance animal for any veterinary bills and necessary retraining costs or replacement costs of the service animal or assistance animal if it is disabled or killed.
Misrepresentation/ Service Dog Fraud
A person who knowingly misrepresents as a service animal any animal that does not meet the definition of "service animal," as defined in Title 5, section 4553, subsection 9-E, commits a civil violation. A person who knowingly misrepresents as an assistance animal any animal that does not meet the definition of "assistance animal," as defined in Title 5, section 4553, subsection 1-H, commits a civil violation. Misrepresentation as a service animal or an assistance animal includes, but is not limited to:
False documents. Knowingly creating documents that falsely represent that an animal is a service animal or an assistance animal;
Providing false documents. Knowingly providing to another person documents falsely stating that an animal is a service animal or an assistance animal;
Harness, collar, vest or sign. Knowingly fitting an animal, when the animal is not a service animal, with a harness, collar, vest or sign of the type commonly used by a person with a disability to indicate an animal is a service animal; or
Falsely representing animal as service animal. Knowingly representing that an animal is a service animal, when the animal has not completed training to perform disability-related tasks or do disability-related work for a person with a disability.
For a civil violation under this section a fine of not more than $1,000 for each occurrence may be adjudged.