increasing the penalties for certain prohibited acts; stating legislative intent;
providing for the application of this Act; providing certain conditions of sentence;
clarifying certain language prohibiting a person from inflicting certain injuries,
disability, or death on animals used by law enforcement units under certain
circumstances; authorizing a certain condition of sentencing for a certain
violation; and generally relating to cruelty to animals.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments
Section 59

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1996 Replacement Volume and 1998 Supplement)

BY adding to

Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments
Section 59

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1996 Replacement Volume and 1998 Supplement)

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

Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments

[59.

(a) Any person who (1) overdrives, overloads, deprives of necessary
sustenance, tortures, torments, or cruelly beats; or (2) causes, procures or authorizes
these acts; or (3) having the charge or custody of an animal, either as owner or
otherwise, inflicts unnecessary suffering or pain upon the animal, or unnecessarily
fails to provide the animal with nutritious food in sufficient quantity, necessary
veterinary care, proper drink, air, space, shelter or protection from the weather; or (4)
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; or (5) knowingly attends a
deliberately conducted dogfight as a spectator, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable
by a fine not exceeding $1,000 or by imprisonment not to exceed 90 days, or both.

(b) (1) Any person who (1) (I) intentionally mutilates or cruelly kills an
animal, or causes, procures, or authorizes the cruel killing or intentional mutilation of
an animal; or (2) (II) uses or permits a dog to be used in or arranges or conducts a
dogfight; OR (3) (III) EXCEPT IN THE CASE OF SELF-DEFENSE, INTENTIONALLY
INFLICTS BODILY HARM, DISABILITY. OR DEATH ON AN ANIMAL USED BY A LAW
ENFORCEMENT UNIT, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not exceeding
$5,000 or by imprisonment not to exceed 3 years, or both.

(2) AS A CONDITION OF SENTENCE FOR A PERSON CONVICTED UNDER
PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION, A COURT MAY ORDER THE PERSON TO
PARTICIPATE IN PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELING THAT IS TO BE PAID FOR BY THE
PERSON.