ME: Maine
Summary: The Retired Law Enforcement Canine Health Care Fund (LD 2081, PL 2025 c. 670) reimburses vet bills. Responders who treat dogs are immune, and killing or permanently disabling a K9 or horse is a Class C crime.
Body armor
None found.
Medical & insurance
14 M.R.S. § 164-B. EMS, handlers and officers who voluntarily give trained first aid to law enforcement or SAR dogs are immune. This is an immunity shield, not authority to treat. K9 MEDIC state law map (verified Sep 18, 2026). Maine is also on VIN's list of transport and treatment states (VIN News, Oct 2, 2025).
Retirement & service limits
None found.
Post retirement care
25 M.R.S. ch. 203, Retired Law Enforcement Canine Health Care (PL 2025, c. 670; LD 2081). A state fund reimburses vet costs for retired K9s. Applicants must live in Maine and the dog must be out of service. Funded by appropriations, donations and fines. Agencies may pay from their own budgets if the fund runs short. Statute PDF; LegiPlex LD2081
Penalties for harming police animals
17-A M.R.S. § 752-B (law enforcement dogs) and § 752-D (law enforcement horses). Killing or permanently disabling one is a Class C crime; injuring or mistreating one is Class D. § 752-B; § 752-D
Sources
- https://www.mainelegislature.org/LEGIS/STATUTES/25/title25ch203.pdf
- https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/statutes/17-A/title17-Asec752-B.html
- Cross state reference: K9 MEDIC state law map (verified Sep 18, 2026)
- Federal backdrop (not state law): 18 U.S.C. § 1368 makes it a crime to harm a federal police animal, up to 10 years if the animal is seriously hurt or killed (Animal Legal & Historical Center).