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§ 10-604. Abuse or neglect of animal

West's Annotated Code of MarylandCriminal LawEffective: October 1, 2019

West's Annotated Code of Maryland
Criminal Law (Refs & Annos)
Title 10. Crimes Against Public Health, Conduct, and Sensibilities
Subtitle 6. Crimes Relating to Animals (Refs & Annos)
Effective: October 1, 2019
MD Code, Criminal Law, § 10-604
Formerly cited as MD CODE Art. 27, § 59
§ 10-604. Abuse or neglect of animal
Currentness
Prohibited
(a) A person may not:
(1) overdrive or overload an animal;
(2) deprive an animal of necessary sustenance;
(3) inflict unnecessary suffering or pain on an animal;
(4) cause, procure, or authorize an act prohibited under item (1), (2), or (3) of this subsection; or
(5) if the person has charge or custody of an animal, as owner or otherwise, unnecessarily fail to provide the animal with:
(i) nutritious food in sufficient quantity;
(ii) necessary veterinary care;
(iii) proper drink;
(iv) proper air;
(v) proper space;
(vi) proper shelter; or
(vii) proper protection from the weather.
Penalty
(b)(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:
(i) participate in and pay for psychological counseling; and
(ii) pay, in addition to any other fines and costs, all reasonable costs incurred in removing, housing, treating, or euthanizing an animal confiscated from the defendant.
(3) As a condition of probation, the court may prohibit a defendant from owning, possessing, or residing with an animal.

Credits

Added by Acts 2002, c. 26, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 2002. Amended by Acts 2006, c. 448, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2006; Acts 2011, c. 26, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2011; Acts 2011, c. 27, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2011; Acts 2017, c. 187, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2017; Acts 2017, c. 188, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2017; Acts 2019, c. 61, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2019; Acts 2019, c. 62, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2019.
Formerly Art. 27, § 59.
MD Code, Criminal Law, § 10-604, MD CRIM LAW § 10-604
Current through legislation effective through April 9, 2023, from the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly. Some statute sections may be more current, see credits for details.
End of Document