Maryland
Anti-Cruelty StatutesCODE
OF MARYLAND
CODE OF 1957
ARTICLE 27. CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS.
I CRIMES
AND PUNISHMENTS
Cruelty to Animals
§
10-604. Abuse or neglect of animal (a)
Prohibited. -- A person may not: - (1)
overdrive or overload an animal;
- (2)
deprive an animal of necessary sustenance;
- (3)
cause, procure, or authorize an act prohibited under item (1) or item (2) of this
subsection; or
- (4)
if the person has charge or custody of an animal, as owner or otherwise:
(i) inflict unnecessary suffering or pain on the animal; or
(ii) unnecessarily fail to provide the animal with nutritious food in sufficient
quantity, necessary veterinary care, proper drink, air, space, shelter, or protection
from the weather. (b)
Penalty. -- -
(1) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction
is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 90 days or a fine not exceeding $ 1,000
or both.
-
(2) As a condition of sentencing, the court may order a defendant convicted of
violating this section to participate in and pay for psychological counseling.
§
10-606. Aggravated cruelty to animals -- In general (a)
Prohibited. -- A person may not: - (1)
intentionally mutilate, torture, cruelly beat, or cruelly kill an animal;
- (2)
cause, procure, or authorize an act prohibited under item (1) of this subsection;
or
- (3)
except in the case of self-defense, intentionally inflict bodily harm, permanent
disability, or death on an animal owned or used by a law enforcement unit.
(b)
Penalty. -- - (1)
A person who violates this section is guilty of the felony of aggravated cruelty
to animals and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 3 years
or a fine not exceeding $ 5,000 or both.
- (2)
As a condition of sentencing, the court may order a defendant convicted of violating
this section to participate in and pay for psychological counseling.
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