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§ 10-626. Harm to service animals

West's Annotated Code of MarylandCriminal LawEffective: October 1, 2021

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, 2021
MD Code, Criminal Law, § 10-626
§ 10-626. Harm to service animals
Currentness
“Service animal” defined
(a) In this section, “service animal” has the meaning stated in § 7-701 of the Human Services Article.
In general
(b) A person may not willfully and maliciously:
(1) kill a service animal or allow an animal that the person owns or over which the person has immediate control to kill a service animal;
(2) injure a service animal or allow an animal that the person owns or over which the person has immediate control to injure a service animal; or
(3) interfere with the use of a service animal or allow an animal that the person owns or over which the person has immediate control to interfere with the use of a service animal.
Penalties and restitution
(c)(1) A person who violates subsection (b)(1) or (2) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 2 years or a fine not exceeding $2,500 or both.
(2) A person who violates subsection (b)(3) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both.
(3) As a condition of sentencing, the court may order a defendant convicted of violating this section to pay, in addition to fines and costs, full restitution for all damages arising out of the offense, including:
(i) the value of the service animal;
(ii) replacement and training or retraining expenses for the service animal and handler;
(iii) veterinary and other medical and boarding expenses for the service animal;
(iv) medical expenses for the handler; and
(v) lost wages or income incurred by the handler during any period that the handler is without the services of the service animal.

Credits

Added by Acts 2021, c. 178, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2021; Acts 2021, c. 179, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2021.
MD Code, Criminal Law, § 10-626, MD CRIM LAW § 10-626
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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