Section 4012 - Cruelty to birds1.Cruelty to birds. A person is guilty of cruelty to birds if that person: A. Keeps or uses any live pigeon, fowl or other bird for a target or to be shot at, either for amusement or as a test of skill in marksmanship; [1987, c. 383, §3 (NEW).]B. Shoots at any bird or is present as a party, umpire or judge at a shooting; or [1987, c. 383, §3 (NEW).]C. Rents any building, shed, room, yard, field or premises or knowingly allows the use of the same for the purposes of paragraphs A and B. [1997, c. 690, §45 (AMD).] [1997, c. 690, §45 (AMD).]
2.Construction. This section may not be construed to prohibit the shooting of wild game in its wild state or the shooting of birds at field trials under the supervision of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in accordance with Title 12, chapter 915, subchapter 13. [2003, c. 414, Pt. B, §16 (AMD); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
3.Affirmative defense. It is an affirmative defense to this section that the conduct involved the use of live animals in the training of other animals in accordance with the laws of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Title 12, Part 13. [2003, c. 414, Pt. B, §16 (AMD); 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
1987, c. 383, § 3 (NEW) . 1997, c. 690, § 45 (AMD) . 2003, c. 414, §B16 (AMD) . 2003, c. 414, §D7 (AFF) . 2003, c. 614, § 9 (AFF) .