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<baltimore-city-law heading="§ 10-703 Vicious animals – Definition.">
  <section prefix="§" num="10-703" heading="Vicious animals – Definition.">
    <para num="(a)" heading="In general.">In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated.</para>
    <para num="(b)" heading="Vicious animal.">
      <para num="(1)" heading="In general.">“Vicious animal” means any animal that:<para num="(i)">has severely bitten or attacked a human being or another animal; or</para>
        <para num="(ii)">has been previously deemed dangerous, and subsequently bitten or attacked a human being or other animal so that the Health Commissioner determines that the animal should be immediately euthanized to protect the health, safety, or welfare of the public.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(2)" heading="Exclusions – Instigation by other.">“Vicious animal” does not include an animal that has bitten or attacked if the injury, damage, was sustained by one who:<para num="(i)">at the time was committing a willful trespass or other tort on the premises occupied by the owner or custodian of the animal;</para>
        <para num="(ii)">was tormenting, abusing, or assaulting the animal;</para>
        <para num="(iii)">in the past has been observed or reported to have tormented, abused, or assaulted the animal; or</para>
        <para num="(iv)">was committing or attempting to commit a crime.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(3)" heading="Exclusions – Protecting self or others or in pain.">“Vicious animal” does not include an animal that has bitten or attacked if the animal was:<para num="(i)">protecting or defending itself, its young, or another animal;</para>
        <para num="(ii)">responding to pain or injury; or</para>
        <para num="(iii)">protecting or defending a human being within the immediate vicinity of the animal from physical attack or assault.</para>
      </para>
    </para>
    <annotation type="Prior Codifications">City Code, 1976/83, art. 11, §24(33a)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 99-548</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 00-073</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 11-573</annotation>
  </section>
</baltimore-city-law>
