Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 10-626
Redline — January 1, 2019 → current.View current text →
Current — January 1, 2022
As of January 1, 2019
// EFFECTIVE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 PER CHAPTER 410 OF 2017 //
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(a) In this section, “service animal” has the meaning stated in § 7–701 of the Human Services Article.
(3) “Animal welfare organization” means a nonprofit organization established to promote animal welfare that has received tax exempt status under § 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and is registered to do business in the State.
(4) “Fund” means the Animal Abuse Emergency Compensation Fund established under this section.
(5) “GOCCP” means the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention.
(b) There is an Animal Abuse Emergency Compensation Fund.
(c) The purpose of the Fund is to assist in paying costs associated with the removal and care of animals impounded under this subtitle.
(d) (1) The Executive Director of GOCCP shall administer the Fund.
(2) The Executive Director shall receive from the Fund each fiscal year the amount, not exceeding $50,000 in a fiscal year, necessary to offset its costs in administering this subtitle.
(e) (1) The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.
(2) The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund.
(f) The Fund consists of:
(1) money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund;
(2) interest earnings of the Fund;
(3) fines levied as a result of conviction of an animal abuse crime; and
(4) any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the Fund.
(g) The Fund may be used only to defray the reasonable costs incurred by an animal control unit or animal welfare organization in caring for an animal from the time of seizure until the outcome of the criminal case including:
(1) impound;
(2) transportation;
(3) medical care;
(4) food;
(5) routine care; and
(6) sheltering.
(h) (1) The State Treasurer shall invest the money of the Fund in the same manner as other State money may be invested.
(2) Any interest earnings of the Fund shall be credited to the Fund.
(i) The Fund is subject to audit by the Office of Legislative Audits as provided in § 2–1220 of the State Government Article.
(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.
(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.
Official source: Maryland General Assembly. Reproduced from public-domain Maryland statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.