WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor Ch. 746
Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments
67B.

(a)  Animal shelters and animal control facilities shall
dispose of unclaimed dogs and cats only by the following means:

(1)  Placement for adoption in a suitable home;

(2)  Retention by the shelter; or

(3)  Humane destruction.

(b)  An impounded domesticated animal may not be sold,
placed for adoption, or destroyed by an animal control agency
until:

(1)  The animal has been carefully inspected for a
tag, tattoo, or other identification to ascertain the owner; AND

(2)  (I) 1. The owner is notified if his identity
reasonably may be ascertained by the inspection; AND

[(3)] 2. 72 hours after notice has been given to the
owner; OR

(II) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (C) OF
THIS SECTION, IF THE OWNER CANNOT BE NOTIFIED, 72 HOURS AFTER THE
ANIMAL IS IMPOUNDED.

(C) AN IMPOUNDED DOMESTICATED ANIMAL OR LITTER OF ANIMALS
MAY BE DESTROYED BY AN ANIMAL CONTROL AGENCY UNDER SUBSECTION (B)
OF THIS SECTION IF:

(1) THE OWNER CANNOT BE NOTIFIED WITHIN 72 HOURS
AFTER THE ANIMAL OR LITTER OF ANIMALS IS IMPOUNDED;

(2) THE ANIMAL IS SERIOUSLY DISEASED OR SEVERELY
INJURED; OR

(3) THE LITTER OF ANIMALS IS UNDER 3 MONTHS OF AGE.

(c) (D) The owner shall pay all fees, costs, and expenses
incurred by the animal control agency. A new owner may be charged
an adoption fee.

(d) (E) As used in this section, "animal control agency"
means the local organization or governmental unit or agency
designated by the appropriate local governmental body to house,
care for, and control domestic animals of unknown ownership.

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