1046

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 341

SECTION 2 -3- 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this
Act shall take effect July 1, 1979.

Approved May 14, 1979.

CHAPTER 342

(House Bill 559)

AN ACT concerning

Euthanasia of Dogs and Cats

FOR the purpose of prohibiting the killing of dogs and cats
by certain methods; providing for the killing of dogs
and cats by a certain method if certain requirements
have been met; providing a penalty for violations; and
generally relating to the humane killing of dogs and
cats.

BY adding to

Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments

Section 59A

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1976 Replacement Volume and 1978 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That section(s) of the Annotated Code of Maryland
be repealed, amended, or enacted to read as follows:

Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments

59A.

(A) A PERSON, PEACE OFFICER, OFFICER OR STAFF OF A
HUMANE SOCIETY, OR OFFICER OR STAFF OF A POUND OR ANIMAL
REGULATION DEPARTMENT OF A PUBLIC AGENCY MAY NOT KILL OR
PERMIT TO BE KILLED A DOG OR CAT BY THE FOLLOWING MEANS:

(1)  USE OF THE HIGH-ALTITUDE, LOW-PRESSURE
CHAMBER (COMMONLY KNOWN AS DECOMPRESSION CHAMBER);

(2)  USE OF CARBON MONOXIDE GAS EXCEPT AS BY THE
STANDARDS OF THE AMERICAN VETERINARIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.;

(B) IF AN ANIMAL IS SUSPECTED EITHER OF BITING A HUMAN
BEING OR OF BEING RABID, DISPOSITION OF THAT ANIMAL IS
GOVERNED BY THE SUBTITLE "RABIES" OF ARTICLE 43 OF THE CODE.

(C) (3) CURARIFORM DRUGS MAY NOT BE USED TO EUTHANIZE
A DOG OR CAT.