# Criminal Law (GCR)

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

### Subtitle 6. Crimes Relating to Animals

#### Section 10-606

(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.

---

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