BANGOR DAILY NEWS • March 20, 2024
Escaped livestock and poultry rarely respond to a polite request to go home. Property owners may need to seek help from the farmer, but if the animal owner doesn’t solve the problem, there is recourse.The state can levy stiff fines against the critter’s owner under Maine’s animal trespass laws. Larger animals like cows, horses, sheep, pigs or goats can trample or uproot plants or make a meal of whatever is growing. Pigs are prized for their ability to turn over soil as they root around for tasty grubs. But your neighbor will likely be less than thrilled if the turned up soil contains their prize flower garden. Chickens, turkeys, geese and other poultry will happily feast on any new garden or lawn growth. In extreme cases under the law, repeat offenders may have their animals taken away from them. In an apparent recognition of the futility of controlling them, cats are not subject to Maine animal trespass laws.