In June of this year I was ordered by the court here in Maine to pay "cival" restitution for owning a dangerous animal... In short I was working and the person who normally lets my dogs out took them to our local dog park where one of my dogs (My English Bulldog) bit another dog that was at the park, so inturn I was given a summons and ordered too pay 1000.00 too the court for restitution the other dog owners, even though I wasn't there at the time of the incident and the girl didn't have permission too remove the dogs from my home I still am the legal owner and am obligated to do so, which I understand. BUT since June I lost my job and am in the process of a divorce and all have turned my finances upside down I have been only able too pay 100.00 toward the balance due and it needs to be paid in full by Dec 30th. I did call the court and it is not a criminal offense just cival they told me, does that make a difference? I am not sure what too do? I simply don't have the money too pay the 1000.00 right now, if I could pay it back in payments of 25.00 a month or maybe even a little more I could do that I suppose... I am barely kepping my head above water and have a disabled child counting on me for support as well.Does it make a difference that the restitution is cival? But ordered by the court too be paid back, The court did drop the dangerous animal charge and just order the restitution because of the circumstances... Can I go to jail for this on December 30th if I haven't paid in full, This is worrying me so much I can't sleep at night... Anyone with answers please HELP !

In NY - where I am - the agreement to pay restitution would turn into a Judgment against you, Court-ordered so it never expires. Jail? No. Could the Court file the dangerous animal charges again? Yes, because you did not comply with the Court's instructions.

As a side note - did you sue the person who had custody/control of the dog for her negligence? In a perfect world you get sued and then you sue her for that same amount.

I would write a letter to the Court, copy to the owner of the injured dog, explaining what you have said here, asking for an extension of time.

Are you scheduled to appear in Court at some point?

I would start paying the 25 a month, to show you are trying

I do have to appear in court on December 30th if the 1000.00 is not paid in full by then... and the girl who took my dog without permission is 17 yrs old, I was going to sue her guardian (grandmother) but she died shortly after the court ordered me too pay the money. I don't know how the court system works as I don't spend a lot of time in court, BUT should I be prepared for jail if I go in on the 30th and don't have the whole 1,000.00 I have paid 100.00 towards the amount, But simply haven't had any extra money too pay,I don't know if the court will understand that... BUT it's the truth sadly. I have saved 100.00 more too bring in on the 30th. And that was a struggle.