Except as provided in section 3951 and Title 12, section 12404, and unless the killing is justified to protect persons or property, a person who steals, confines or secretes, willfully or negligently injures or willfully or negligently kills a dog is liable in damages to the dog's owner in a civil action. [2003, c. 414, Pt. B, §13(AMD); 2003, c. 614, §9(AFF).]
7 M.R.S. § 3953