MARVIN MANDEL, Governor                           1025

CHAPTER 122
(Senate Bill 116)

AN ACT concerning

Sale of Pets — Puppies and Kittens

FOR the purpose of prohibiting the importation for sale
or distribution and the sale or distribution of
certain puppies and kittens and providing a penalty
for violation and providing for the disposal of the
puppies and kittens.

BY adding to

Article 27 — Crimes and Punishments

Section 60B

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1971 Replacement Volume and 1974 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That new Section 60B be and it is hereby added
to Article 27 — Crimes and Punishments, of the Annotated
Code of Maryland (1971 Replacement Volume and 1971
Supplement) to read as follows:

Article 27 — Crimes and Punishments

60B.

NO PERSON MAY [[BRING INTO THE STATE FOR PURPOSES OF
SALE ANY DOG OR CAT UNDER THE AGE OF EIGHT WEEKS UNLESS
THE ANIMAL IS ACCOMPANIED BY ITS DAM]] SELL OR DISTRIBUTE
IN MARYLAND OR BRING INTO THIS STATE FOR PURPOSES OF SALE
OR DISTRIBUTION ANY DOMESTIC DOG (CANIS FAMILIARIS) OR
CAT (FELIS CATUS) LESS THAN EIGHT WEEKS OF AGE UNLESS
ACCOMPANIED BY ITS DAM. THIS PROVISION SHALL NOT APPLY
TO ANIMALS USED BY BIOMEDICAL FACILITIES LICENSED BY THE
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND ANIMALS WHICH ABE
ACCOMPANIED BY A LICENSED VETERINARIAN'S SIGNED STATEMENT
SETTING FORTH THAT THE DAM IS INCAPACITATED FOR HUMANE OR
MEDICAL REASONS AND CANNOT CARE FOR HER OFF-SPRING. ANY
PERSON VIOLATING THIS SECTION IS GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR
AND SUBJECT TO A FINE OF NOT MORE THAN $500 AND THE COURT
MAY TAKE POSSESSION OF THE ANIMAL FOR PURPOSES OF HUMANE
DISPOSAL.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act
shall take effect July 1, 1975.