This Maryland statute outlines what is a "Dangerous dog." As defined by statute, it is a dog that, without provocation, has killed or inflicted severe injury on a person, or it is a potentially dangerous dog that bites a person, when not on its owner's real property, kills or inflicts severe injury on a domestic animal, or attacks without provocation. An owner of a dangerous dog must keep the dog securely enclosed on his or her property or must muzzle and restrain the dog. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $2,500.
This Maryland statutory section comprises the state's anti-cruelty provisions. Under the section, "animal" means a living creature except a human being. "Cruelty" is defined as the unnecessary or unjustifiable physical pain or suffering caused or allowed by an act, omission, or neglect, and includes torture and torment. Agricultural, veterinary, research, and "an activity that may cause unavoidable physical pain to an animal, including food processing, pest elimination, animal training, and hunting. . . " are excluded from the purview of the act. The cruelty law makes it a crime to overdrive or overload an animal; deprive an animal of necessary sustenance; inflict unnecessary suffering or pain on the animal; or 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. Such action constitutes a 90 day/$1,000 misdemeanor.
This Maryland statute provides that the measure of damages for tortious injury or death to a pet is the market value of the pet before the injury, or the cost of veterinary care that does not exceed $7,500.
These statutes comprise Maryland's dog laws. Maryland is unique in that the state law governs the specific licensing and other regulations certain counties may adopt or enforce. Also included are the state rabies provisions and even the law that designates the state dog (the Chesapeake Bay retriever).
MD - Endangered Species - Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act
These Maryland statutes comprise the Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act. Under the Act, any species designated under the federal Endangered Species Act is deemed an endangered species as are other species designated by the state secretary based on habitat and population factors. Violators of the Act shall be fined not more than $1,000 or be imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both and equipment used in the taking of designated species may be seized.
MD - Habitat - Promotion of conservation, propagation, and habitat protection of nongame, threatened or endangered species.
Maryland law specifically allocates funds for the habitat protection, conservation, and propagation of endangered and threatened species. This fund has a provision that designates this fund for the monitoring, surveying, and protection of bald eagle nest sites in addition to other wildlife. For discussion of federal Eagle Act, see Detailed Discussion.
This section comprises Maryland's "Wholesome Meat Act." Included are laws related to licensing of slaughtering establishments, labeling of meat, and the state's humane slaughter provisions. The humane slaughter provisions state that it is the policy of the State to prevent inhumane methods of livestock slaughter at an official establishment. Humane methods include those by which livestock are rendered insensible to pain, by a single blow or gunshot, or by an electrical, chemical, or other rapid and effective means, before being shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut. Ritual slaughter defined by statute is also considered humane if done in compliance with the act. Use of a manually operated hammer, sledge, or poleax during a slaughtering operation is considered inhumane. Note that "livestock" here explicitly excludes poultry or other fowl. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $100 for each violation.
This Maryland statute states that it is in the state's public interest to preserve native species by strictly regulating the possession, importation, exportation, breeding, raising, protection, rehabilitation, hunting, killing, trapping, capture, purchase, or sale of certain wildlife which pose a possibility of harm to native wildlife.
MD - Hunting - Maryland House Bill 9 - Deer Management
This Maryland house bill concerns many aspects of deer management and hunting. The most controversial measure was the proposal to allow for hunting on Sundays.
MD - Hunting - Maryland Initiative Summaries from API
These summaries for Maryland house bills 9, 10, and 377 were drafted by the Animal Protection Institute and list potential ramifications for passage or rejection of the proposed bills. The bills concern changing hunting regulations to allow hunting on Sundays, further management measures for black bears, and the banning of steel leg-hold traps.
This Maryland statute provides that any dog found running at large without the proper license tag attached is considered a nuisance and is subject to seizure, detention and destruction. When the dog warden is not able to catch a dog running at large without a license tag, the dog may be shot or otherwise killed. The County Commissioners may provide by ordinance that owners of dogs may not permit the dog, whether licensed or unlicensed, to run at large, after a petition signed by a majority of residents has been submitted. Dogs seized under this provision are kept for 72 hours; thereafter, the owner loses ownership rights and is subject to sale after an additional holding period. Any dog seized and not redeemed within 120 hours from time of its seizure may be killed by the dog warden or one of his or her duly authorized deputies.
MD - Ordinances - Annapolis and Rockville Animal Control Ordinances
This Maryland statutory section only applies to Carroll County and Frederick County. It provides that the county commissioners, by ordinance, may provide for a comprehensive system for the regulation of domestic animals, including dogs, and wild animals held in captivity, within the county, including licensing and control. Also included are provisions for the impoundment and disposal of unlicensed or dangerous dogs and provisions for the regulation of persons who own or keep any animal which disturbs the peace.
MD - Ordinances - Washington county commissioners; adoption of ordinance
This Maryland statute provides that the County Commissioners for Washington County may adopt an animal control ordinance. This may include provisions to hold public hearings to decide citations, complaints, and other controversies arising under the animal control ordinance. Ordinances may also include provisions for the control of rabid animals and the disposition of uncontrolled, vicious, and sick animals among other things.
MD - Veterinary - State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.
These are the state's veterinary practice laws. Among the provisions include licensing requirements, laws concerning the state veterinary board, veterinary records laws, and the laws governing disciplinary actions for impaired or incompetent practitioners.
