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§ 10-606. Aggravated cruelty to animals--In general

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, § 10-606
Formerly cited as MD CODE Art. 27, § 59
§ 10-606. Aggravated cruelty to animals--In general
Currentness
“Sexual contact with an animal” defined
(a)(1) In this section, “sexual contact with an animal” means any act:
(i) involving:
1. a person touching the sex organ or anus of an animal;
2. contact between:
A. the sex organ or anus of a person and the mouth, sex organ, or anus of an animal; or
B. the sex organ or anus of an animal, and the mouth, sex organ, or anus of a person; or
3. insertion of:
A. any part of the body of a person into the opening of the vagina or anus of an animal;
B. any part of an animal's body into the opening of the vagina or anus of a person; or
C. any object into the opening of the vagina or anus of an animal; and
(ii) committed for the purpose of sexual arousal, sexual gratification, abuse, or financial gain.
(2) “Sexual contact with an animal” does not include:
(i) an accepted veterinary practice;
(ii) artificial insemination of an animal for reproductive purposes;
(iii) accepted animal husbandry practices, including:
1. grooming;
2. raising;
3. breeding;
4. assisting with the birthing process; or
5. any other activity that provides care for an animal; or
(iv) generally accepted practices relating to the judging of breed confirmation.
Prohibited
(b) A person may not:
(1) intentionally:
(i) mutilate an animal;
(ii) torture an animal;
(iii) cruelly beat an animal;
(iv) cruelly kill an animal; or
(v) engage in sexual contact with 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.
Penalty
(c)(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:
(i) order a defendant convicted of violating this section to:
1. participate in and pay for psychological counseling; and
2. 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; and
(ii) prohibit a defendant from owning, possessing, or residing with an animal for a specified period of time.

Credits

Added by Acts 2002, c. 26, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 2002. Amended by Acts 2011, c. 26, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2011; Acts 2011, c. 27, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2011; Acts 2014, c. 218, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2014; Acts 2017, c. 187, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2017; Acts 2017, c. 188, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2017; Acts 2018, c. 238, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2018; Acts 2019, c. 61, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2019; Acts 2019, c. 62, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2019; Acts 2019, c. 72, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2019.
Formerly Art. 27, § 59.
MD Code, Criminal Law, § 10-606, MD CRIM LAW § 10-606
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.
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