Cruelty to animals is illegal in Maryland, as it is across the country. The state’s animal protection laws are detailed, covering a wide range of things from puppy sales to conditions in kennels. Below, we’ve summarized the most important laws that pet owners and animal lovers should know about.
Maryland’s Laws on Animal Abuse and Neglect
In Maryland, it’s a misdemeanor to abuse or neglect animals by making them suffer or experience pain unnecessarily, depriving them of needed food and water, or overworking them. Animal custodians may also be guilty of abuse or neglect if they don’t provide:
- enough nutritious food and proper drink
- necessary veterinary care, or
- proper air, space, shelter, and protection from the weather.
In addition to misdemeanor penalties, the court can order a defendant to attend counseling and pay for the care and treatment of the abused or neglected animal.
(Md. Code, Crim. Law §§ 10-604, 10-612 (2022).)
Maryland’s Laws on Animal Cruelty
Cruelty to animals is a felony in Maryland. The crime includes:
- intentionally mutilating or torturing an animal
- cruelly beating or killing an animal on purpose, or
- injuring or killing a law enforcement animal, unless it’s in self-defense.
A felony penalty carries up to three years in prison and a $5,000 fine. Judges can also order the defendant to:
- attend and pay for counseling
- pay costs for the care and treatment of the animal
- turn over the animal to animal control agents, and
- not own, possess, or reside with any animals for a set period of time.
Does Maryland Have Exceptions to Animal Cruelty Laws?
Maryland exempts several kinds of legal activity from its animal cruelty, abuse, and neglect laws, including:
- research performed under approved protocols
- normal veterinary and agricultural practices, and
- hunting, animal training, and food processing, as long as the most humane methods were used.
(Md. Code, Crim. Law, §§ 10-603, 10-606 (2022).)
Maryland’s Dog and Cat Laws
In addition to laws prohibiting animal cruelty, abuse, and neglect, Maryland has several laws relating specifically to dogs and cats.
Leaving Dogs Tethered or Unattended Outdoors
Dog owners in Maryland could be guilty of a misdemeanor for leaving their animals tethered or chained outside if:
- the dog’s movement is unreasonably limited
- the dog can’t get to enough clean water or an appropriate shelter
- the conditions are unsafe or unsanitary
- the collar is too small or mostly made of metal, or
- the dog is injured as a result of the restraint.
It’s also illegal to leave a dog outside and unattended outdoors for more than 30 minutes without suitable shelter or shade during extreme weather conditions or when temperatures go above 90 degrees.
Leaving Pets in Cars
Dog and cat owners in Maryland may not leave their pets alone in cars in a way that endangers the animals’ health or safety. Doing so could result in animal abuse or neglect charges and penalties. Certain rescue workers and officers (including animal control and humane society officers) are allowed to use reasonable force to remove an endangered dog or cat from a locked car.
Abandonment of Domestic Animals
It’s a misdemeanor for animal owners or custodians to abandon their animals by leaving them on a road, in any other public place, or on private property.
Poisoning Dogs
It’s a misdemeanor to give a dog poison or ground glass maliciously or to leave out the poison or glass for a dog to eat.
Dogfighting Laws
Involvement in organized dogfighting—from owning or training the animals to arranging the fights—is a felony in Maryland. Watching a fight is a misdemeanor. A felony conviction for dogfighting is considered animal cruelty, and the additional penalties listed above apply.
Prohibiting Ear Cropping, Tail Docking, and Other Procedures
Maryland makes it a crime for anyone other than a vet to perform certain procedures on a dog, including:
- ear cropping
- tail docking, and
- cutting off a dewclaw.
The state also outlaws cutting the vocal cords or larynx of dogs or cats (known as “devocalization”) and declawing cats, unless these procedures are medically necessary and done by a licensed vet.
(Md. Code, Agric. Law §§ 2-301, 2-313.3; Md. Code, Crim. Law §§ 10-605, 10-607, 10-608, 10-612, 10-618, 10-623, 10-624, 10-625, 10-625.1; Md. Code, Transp. § 21-1004.1 (2022).)
Can Animal Control Seize My Animal?
Police or animal control officers may seize an animal to protect it from cruelty or neglect, including dogfighting. Court-ordered seizure is also an option upon an animal cruelty conviction (as noted above).
Officers must notify the owner of the animal’s seizure and provide information on how the owner can get their animal returned to them. If the seizure was justified, the owner may be liable for the reasonable costs of caring for the seized animal and providing it with necessary medical care.
(Md. Code, Crim. Law §§ 10-615, 10-615.1 (2022).)
How to Report Animal Abuse in Maryland
If you see or hear an animal that appears to be abused, mistreated, or neglected, contact your local animal control agency, law enforcement, or the humane society. Staffers at the humane society can usually tell you if local police or sheriffs are likely to act on the problem, and whether there are local ordinances that apply to the situation. In some counties of Maryland, humane society officers also have the authority to make arrests for animal cruelty. Even if the owner’s behavior isn’t against the law or an ordinance, the humane society may be able to do something to correct the problem. If you’re concerned about conditions at a puppy mill or pet shop, contact the nearest office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Speaking With a Lawyer
If you’ve been accused of animal cruelty, abuse, or neglect—or you’re worried about possible charges—it’s a good idea to speak with a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney experienced in this area should be able to explain:
- details on relevant state laws
- how local authorities tend to interpret those laws
- ordinances in your local community that may apply to your situation
- how you might recover your pet if authorities have already taken it, and
- any defense you might have to criminal charges.