# Criminal Law (GCR)

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

### Subtitle 6. Crimes Relating to Animals

#### Section 10-606.1

(a)

  (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

  (2) "Emergency response animal" means:

    (i) a dog used by a law enforcement unit in the State that is trained for law enforcement work and is subject to the control of a law enforcement officer who has completed handler training in accordance with the policies of the law enforcement unit that employs the officer;

    (ii) a horse used by a law enforcement unit in the State for law enforcement work;

    (iii) a search and rescue dog trained for or engaged in an effort directed by a State agency or a political subdivision of the State to locate or rescue a lost, injured, or deceased individual; or

    (iv) a horse used in a search and rescue effort directed by a State agency or a political subdivision of the State to locate or rescue a lost, injured, or deceased individual.

  (3) "Law enforcement unit" has the meaning stated in Sec. 10-101 of the Criminal Procedure Article.

  (4) "Serious physical injury" means physical injury that causes permanent or protracted:

    (i) disfigurement;

    (ii) loss of the function of any bodily member or organ; or

    (iii) impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.

(b)

  (1) A person may not intentionally harass or interfere with an emergency response animal during the lawful performance of the emergency response animal's duties.

  (2) A person may not intentionally injure an emergency response animal.

  (3) A person may not violate paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection during the commission of a crime.

  (4) A person may not intentionally kill or cause serious physical injury to an emergency response animal.

(c)

  (1) A person who violates subsection (b)(1) or (2) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or a fine not exceeding $5,000 or both.

  (2) A person who violates subsection (b)(3) or (4) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 2 years or a fine not exceeding $10,000 or both.

(d)

  (1) Nothing in this section prohibits a defendant from asserting the defense of necessity or self-defense to a charge of violating this section.

  (2) It is an affirmative defense to a charge of violating this section that the defendant acted reasonably to prevent physical harm resulting from a violation of the Maryland Use of Force Statute under Sec. 3-524 of the Public Safety Article.

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