At the August 14, 2023, Town Council meeting, the council voted unanimously in favor of approving the recommendation from the Ordinance Committee to amend Chapter 7 Dogs Sec. 7-1-7 Management of Dogs on Municipal Property.  The amendments were first presented to the board on May 8 by Chief Paul Fenton, who relayed the recommendation from the Animal Control Officer Maggie Maxwell to streamline and de-escalate enforcement notificaiton.

Officer Maxwell noted that the provisions requiring a separate meeting and written agreement when a first violation is cited is not necessary.  Notification of a violation is done in person by Officer Maxwell, and then followed up with a written, mailed warning.  The current prior provisions for a first violation tended to escalate engagement between the officer and the dog owner.

Officer Maxwell works for both Cape Elizabeth and the City of South Portland.