# Business Regulation (GBR)

## Title 19. Miscellaneous State Business Regulation

### Subtitle 1. General Provisions

#### Section 19-105

(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 Sec. 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.

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Md. Code Ann., Bus. Reg. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)