01-001

Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry

Ch. 721

Rules for the Permanent Identification of Wolf Hybrids

Rules and Regulations Relating to

Animal Welfare

Maine Department of Agriculture Office of Natural & Rural Resources Animal Welfare Program 28 State House Station Augusta, Maine 04333-0028 (207) 287-3846

Effective: June 8, 2004

01-001 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY

Chapter 721: RULES FOR THE PERMANENT IDENTIFICATION OF WOLF HYBRIDS---

SUMMARY: These rules establish methods of permanent identification for wolf hybrids applicable to all wolf hybrids owned or kept in the State of Maine.

1. DEFINITIONS

1. A. Commissioner – means the Commissioner of the State of Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.
2. B. Department – means the State of Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.
3. C. Identification – means a method or item bearing identifying data. i.e. a tattoo or microchip that provides information for determining the owner or keeper of a wolf hybrid.
4. D. Keeper – means a person in possession or control of a wolf hybrid. A person becomes the keeper a wolf hybrid, if the person feeds that animal for at least 10 consecutive days.
5. E. Microchip – means a small crystal of a silicon semiconductor fabricated to carry out a number of electronic functions in an integrated circuit and includes an electronic device implanted into a wolf hybrid for the purposes of identification.
6. F. Owner – means any person, firm, partnership, association or corporation owning, keeping, or harboring a wolf hybrid.
7. G. Permanent Identification – means any method of identification that is indelible or otherwise continues or endures without marked change in status or condition or place.
8. H. Tattoo – means a permanent mark or design made on the skin by a process of pricking and ingraining an indelible pigment or by raising scars.
9. I. Wolf – means any of various large wild predatory canids (genus Canis) that live and hunt in packs and resemble the related dogs; Canis lupus, gray wolf, timber wolf brindled gray wolf of forested northern regions of North America, Arctic wolf, Canis lupus tundrarum, white wolf - wolf of arctic North America having white fur and a black-tipped tail.
10. J. Wolf Hybrid – means a mammal that is the off spring of a species of wild canid or wild canid hybrid. “Wolf hybrid” includes a mammal that is represented by its owner or keeper to be a cross between a domestic dog (canis familiaris) and a wild canid or wild canid hybrid, and includes without limitation, any mammal that is represented by its owner or keeper to be a wolf hybrid, coyote hybrid, coy dog, or any other wild canid hybrid.

2. PROHIBITED ACTS

No person may own or keep any wolf hybrid over the age of eight (8) weeks unless permanent identification of that wolf hybrid has been provided in accordance with these rules.

3. METHODS OF IDENTIFICATION

1. A. Permanent identification of a wolf hybrid must be provided by one of the following methods:
2. (1) a microchip placed subcutaneous (under the skin) that has been registered with a nationwide organization and whose database will be accessible by the Department at all times; or
3. (2) a permanent tattoo that will be registered with a nationwide organization and whose database will be accessible by the Department at all times.
4. B. The database for any microchip or tattoo placed in accordance with paragraph 3.A (1) or 3.A (2) of these rules must contain the following information, at a minimum, and be readily accessible to the Department at all times:
5. (1) The name of the person who owns or keeps the wolf hybrid.
6. (2) The address of the person who owns or keeps the wolf hybrid.
7. (3) The telephone number of the person who owns or keeps the wolf hybrid.
8. C. Any telephone number provided to the Department by the owner or keeper of any wolf hybrid must remain in service and provide the Department ready access to the owner or keeper on a 24 hour basis, seven (7) days a week.
9. D. If available, anyone who owns or keeps a wolf hybrid must provide the Department with an email address.
10. E. Anyone who owns or keeps a wolf hybrid must advise the Department of any changes to the information provided to the Department in accordance with these rules within 72 hours of such change, including any changes in the name, address, phone, or email address of the owner or keeper of the wolf hybrid.---

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 7 M.R.S.A. §3921-A

EFFECTIVE DATE:

June 8, 2004 - filing 2004-193

CORRECTIONS:

February, 2014 – agency names, formatting