# Criminal Law (GCR)

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

### Subtitle 6. Crimes Relating to Animals

#### Section 10-619

(a)

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

  (2) "Dangerous dog" means a dog that:

    (i) without provocation has killed or inflicted severe injury on a person; or

    (ii) is determined by the appropriate unit of a county or municipal corporation under subsection (c) of this section to be a potentially dangerous dog and, after the determination is made:

      (1) bites a person;

      (2) when not on its owner's real property, kills or inflicts severe injury on a domestic animal; or

      (3) attacks without provocation.

  (3)

    (i) "Owner's real property" means real property owned or leased by the owner of a dog.

    (ii) "Owner's real property" does not include a public right-of-way or a common area of a condominium, apartment complex, or townhouse development.

  (4) "Severe injury" means a physical injury that results in broken bones or disfiguring lacerations requiring multiple sutures or cosmetic surgery.

(b) This section does not apply to a dog owned by and working for a governmental or law enforcement unit.

(c) An appropriate unit of a county or municipal corporation may determine that a dog is potentially dangerous if the unit:

  (1) finds that the dog:

    (i) has inflicted a bite on a person while on public or private real property;

    (ii) when not on its owner's real property, has killed or inflicted severe injury on a domestic animal; or

    (iii) has attacked without provocation; and

  (2) notifies the dog owner in writing of the reasons for this determination.

(d) A dog owner may not:

  (1) leave a dangerous dog unattended on the owner's real property unless the dog is:

    (i) confined indoors;

    (ii) in a securely enclosed and locked pen; or

    (iii) in another structure designed to restrain the dog; or

  (2) allow a dangerous dog to leave the owner's real property unless the dog is leashed and muzzled, or is otherwise securely restrained and muzzled.

(e) An owner of a dangerous dog or potentially dangerous dog who sells or gives the dog to another shall notify in writing:

  (1) the authority that made the determination under subsection (c) of this section, of the name and address of the new owner of the dog; and

  (2) the person taking possession of the dog, of the dangerous behavior or potentially dangerous behavior of the dog.

(f) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $2,500.

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