868

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 74

Approved April 14, 1981.

CHAPTER 75

(House Bill 1736)

AN ACT concerning

St. Mary's County - Female Dogs "In Heat"

FOR the purpose of providing that in St. Mary's County the
owner of a female dog "in heat" shall adequately
confine the dog; and providing for a criminal penalty
for violation of this Act.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments

Section 70B

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1976 Replacement Volume and 1980 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be repealed, amended, or enacted to read as follows: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

70B.

In Howard County AND IN ST. MARY'S COUNTY the owner or
custodian of an unspayed female dog shall be required to
confine it adequately when in oestrus or in a condition
commonly known as "in heat." Adequate confinement is
understood to mean — beginning soon enough and continuing
long enough (this period is generally accepted to be
twenty-one days), and made secure enough to provide
protection from contact with roaming dogs, the attraction of
dogs to the premises, and/or the migration of dogs.

Any person violating this section shall be guilty of a
misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined not
less than $10.00 nor more than $50.00.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act
shall take effect July 1, 1981.

Approved April 14, 1981.