# Criminal Law (GCR)

## Title 10. Crimes Against Public Health, Conduct, and Sensibilities

### Subtitle 6. Crimes Relating to Animals

#### Section 10-603

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.

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