Can a Maine town ban pit bulls or restrict specific breeds?

No. Title 7 Section 3950 expressly forbids municipalities from adopting any breed-specific ordinance. Towns may regulate dangerous behavior but not breed identity.

Can my landlord or insurer still restrict breeds?

Yes. The state preemption applies to municipal ordinances, not private contracts. Landlords, condo associations, and insurance companies may impose breed restrictions independently.

How does Maine address actually dangerous dogs?

Under Title 7 Chapter 727, courts can declare individual dogs dangerous after specific incidents and impose muzzling, leash, and confinement orders regardless of breed.

Maine Breed Restrictions Law: Statewide Animal Ordinances Rules (2026)

Key Facts

Statute: 7 MRS Section 3950
Preemption Year: Effective 2013
Local Breed Bans: Prohibited statewide
Regulation Basis: Individual dog behavior

Source: 7 MRSA §3950 - Local regulations (breed-specific prohibition)

Full Breakdown

Under 7 MRS Section 3950, municipalities are empowered to adopt more stringent dog-control ordinances than state law, except they may not adopt breed-specific ordinances, laws or regulations. The Legislature expressly preempted local breed bans in 2013. Maine instead regulates dangerous and nuisance dogs based on actual behavior under Chapter 727. The Maine Supreme Judicial Court reinforced this approach in Morgan v. Marquis, holding pit bulls are not per se abnormally dangerous. Any breed-targeted local rule, registration requirement, or insurance mandate is unenforceable.

Violations & Penalties

Local breed-specific ordinances are void and unenforceable. Owners cited under such rules can challenge enforcement; municipalities risk civil liability for invalid rule application.

Maine Prohibits Breed-Specific Dog Ordinances Statewide

Key Facts

Full Breakdown

Violations & Penalties

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

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