Ch. 594                                       LAWS OF MARYLAND

CHAPTER 594

(Senate Bill 595)

AN ACT concerning

Civil Actions - Pets - Damages

FOR the purpose of setting the measure establishing a certain
method for the measurement of damages for an injured pet at
the greater of the pet's market value before the injury or
the reasonable cost of veterinary care; and defining a term.

BY adding to

Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings

Section 11-110

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1984 Replacement Volume and 1988 Supplement)

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

Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings

11-110.

(A)  (1) IN THIS SECTION "PET" MEANS A DOMESTICATED ANIMAL
KEPT FOR PLEASURE RATHER THAN UTILITY.

(2) "PET" DOES NOT INCLUDE LIVESTOCK.

(B)  THE MEASURE OF DAMAGES FOR TORTIOUS INJURIES TO A PET
IS THE MARKET VALUE OF THE PET BEFORE THE INJURY OR THE
REASONABLE COST OF VETERINARY CARE, WHICHEVER IS GREATER BUT NOT
MORE THAN $2,500 IF SUCH CHARGE IS GREATER.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall
take effect July 1, 1989.

Approved May 25, 1989.

- 3632 -