HARRY HUGHES, Governor                                         3097

veterinary care, proper drink, air, space, shelter or protection
from the weather; OR (4) USES OR PERMITS A DOG TO BE USED IN,
ARRANGES OR CONDUCTS A DOGFIGHT; OR (5) [,or] uses or permits to
be used any bird, fowl, or cock for the purpose of fighting with
any other animal which is commonly known as cockfighting, is
guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punishable by a fine not
exceeding $1,000 or by imprisonment not to exceed 90 days, or
both. Customary and normal veterinary and agricultural husbandry
practices including but not limited to dehorning, castration,
docking tails, and limit feeding, are not covered by the
provisions of this section. In the case of activities in which
physical pain may unavoidably be caused to animals, such as food
processing, pest elimination, animal training, and hunting,
cruelty shall mean a failure to employ the most humane method
reasonably available. It is the intention of the General Assembly
that all animals shall be protected from intentional cruelty, but
that no person shall be liable for criminal prosecution for
normal human activities to which the infliction of pain to an
animal is purely incidental and unavoidable.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall
take effect July 1, 1984.

Approved May 29, 1984.

CHAPTER 610

(House Bill 333)

- AN ACT concerning

Unemployment Insurance - Standard Tax Rate

FOR the purpose of increasing the standard employer contribution
rate and the maximum basic employer tax rate.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Article 95A - Unemployment Insurance Law

Section 8(c)

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1979 Replacement Volume and 1983 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article 95A - Unemployment Insurance Law

8.