§ 10–603
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 10-603 (2026)
Title 10. Crimes Against Public Health, Conduct, and Sensibilities
Subtitle 6. Crimes Relating to Animals
§ 10–603LinkCopy Citation
Sections 10–601 through 10–608 and 10–626 of this subtitle do not apply to:
(1)
customary and normal veterinary and agricultural husbandry practices including dehorning, castration, tail docking, and limit feeding;
(2)
research conducted in accordance with protocols approved by an animal care and use committee, as required under the federal Animal Welfare Act or the federal Health Research Extension Act;
(3)
an activity that may cause unavoidable physical pain to an animal if the person performing the activity uses the most humane method reasonably available, including:
(i)
food processing;
(ii)
pest elimination;
(iii)
animal training; and
(iv)
any hunting or fishing activity completed in accordance with Title 4 or Title 10 of the Natural Resources Article or any regulations adopted under those titles; or
(4)
normal human activities in which the infliction of pain to an animal is purely incidental and unavoidable.