§ 10–606
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 10-606 (2026)
Title 10. Crimes Against Public Health, Conduct, and Sensibilities
Subtitle 6. Crimes Relating to Animals
§ 10–606LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
In this section, “sexual contact with an animal” means any act:
(i)
involving:
(1)
a person touching the sex organ or anus of an animal;
(2)
contact between:
(A)
the sex organ or anus of a person and the mouth, sex organ, or anus of an animal; or
(B)
the sex organ or anus of an animal, and the mouth, sex organ, or anus of a person; or
(3)
insertion of:
(A)
any part of the body of a person into the opening of the vagina or anus of an animal;
(B)
any part of an animal’s body into the opening of the vagina or anus of a person; or
(C)
any object into the opening of the vagina or anus of an animal; and
(ii)
committed for the purpose of sexual arousal, sexual gratification, abuse, or financial gain.
(2)
“Sexual contact with an animal” does not include:
(i)
an accepted veterinary practice;
(ii)
artificial insemination of an animal for reproductive purposes;
(iii)
accepted animal husbandry practices, including:
(1)
grooming;
(2)
raising;
(3)
breeding;
(4)
assisting with the birthing process; or
(5)
any other activity that provides care for an animal; or
(iv)
generally accepted practices relating to the judging of breed confirmation.
(b)
A person may not:
(1)
intentionally:
(i)
mutilate an animal;
(ii)
torture an animal;
(iii)
cruelly beat an animal;
(iv)
cruelly kill an animal; or
(v)
engage in sexual contact with an animal; or
(2)
cause, procure, or authorize an act prohibited under item (1) of this subsection.
(c)
(1)
A person who violates this section is guilty of the felony of aggravated cruelty to animals and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or a fine not exceeding $5,000 or both.
(2)
As a condition of sentencing, the court may:
(i)
order a defendant convicted of violating this section to:
(1)
participate in and pay for psychological counseling; and
(2)
pay, in addition to any other fines and costs, all reasonable costs incurred in removing, housing, treating, or euthanizing an animal confiscated from the defendant; and
(ii)
prohibit a defendant from owning, possessing, or residing with an animal for a specified period of time.