§ 19–105
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Bus. Reg. § 19-105 (2026)
Title 19. Miscellaneous State Business Regulation
Subtitle 1. General Provisions
§ 19–105LinkCopy Citation
(a)
This section does not apply to:
(1)
an animal welfare organization or animal control unit displaying dogs or cats for adoption or the adoption of dogs or cats from an animal welfare organization or animal control unit; or
(2)
a dog breeder and a specific individual purchaser conducting a prearranged sale of a dog if the location of the prearranged sale is not at a regularly scheduled or recurring event.
(b)
A person may not offer for sale, sell, offer to transfer, transfer, barter, trade, or auction a dog or cat at any public place, including:
(1)
a street;
(2)
a highway;
(3)
a public right–of–way;
(4)
a public parking lot;
(5)
a carnival;
(6)
a boardwalk;
(7)
a swap meet;
(8)
a fair; or
(9)
a flea market.
(c)
An animal control officer under the jurisdiction of the State or a local governing body and an officer of a society or association, incorporated under the laws of the State for the prevention of cruelty to animals, authorized to make arrests under § 10–609 of the Criminal Law Article may enforce subsection (b) of this section.
(d)
A person who violates this section is subject to:
(1)
for a first violation, a civil penalty not exceeding $500;
(2)
for a second violation, a civil penalty not exceeding $1,000; and
(3)
for a third or subsequent violation, a civil penalty not exceeding $1,500.