§ 11–1002
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Bus. Reg. § 11-1002 (2026)
Title 11. Horse Racing
Subtitle 10. Prohibited Act
§ 11–1002LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In this section, “racehorse” means a horse:
(1)
bred or intended for racing, including a weanling, yearling, horse in training, or racehorse breeding stock with a record of having produced or sired offspring intended for racing; or
(2)
that has been recorded on the backstretch of a track in the State, has had a recorded workout on a track in the State, or has participated in a race meeting in the State where pari–mutuel betting is allowed.
(b)
A person may not:
(1)
slaughter or cause the slaughter of a racehorse in the State for any commercial purpose, including for human or animal consumption; or
(2)
purchase, sell, transfer, offer for sale, import into the State, or transport a racehorse if the person knows or reasonably should know that the racehorse will be slaughtered for a commercial purpose, including for human or animal consumption.
(c)
(1)
An individual who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction:
(i)
for a first offense, is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or both; or
(ii)
for a second or subsequent offense, is subject to a fine not exceeding $2,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or both.
(2)
A corporation, partnership, or any other entity that violates this section:
(i)
for a first offense, is subject to a fine not exceeding $2,500; or
(ii)
for a second or subsequent offense, is subject to a fine not exceeding $5,000.
(d)
Fines collected by the Commission as a result of violations under this section shall be distributed to the Special Fund established under § 11–401 of this title.
(e)
If the Commission or the State Department of Agriculture finds that a person has violated this section:
(1)
the Commission may revoke or suspend any license issued to the person by the Commission; and
(2)
the State Department of Agriculture may revoke or suspend any license issued to the person by the State Department of Agriculture.
(f)
The Commission, in consultation with the State Department of Agriculture, shall adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this section.
(g)
Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit humane euthanasia of a racehorse by a licensed veterinarian for reasons unrelated to commercial purposes, including severe injury, maiming, or injury that results in no quality of life for the racehorse, as determined by a licensed veterinarian.