<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".18" citation="COMAR 08.03.15.18" title_num="08" subtitle_num="03" chapter_num="15" heading="Business Practices.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>A wildlife damage control operator may not engage in any form of false or misleading advertising or promotional activities, including, but not limited to, the falsification or misrepresentation of:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The work of a wildlife damage control operator or of an individual employed by the wildlife damage control operator;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The academic or professional qualifications or affiliations of the wildlife damage control operator; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The experience or licensing status of the wildlife damage control operator.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>In rendering professional services, a wildlife damage control operator may not counsel or assist anyone, including, but not limited to, a wildlife damage control operator's client, in conduct a wildlife damage control operator knows, or is reasonably expected to know, is illegal or improper.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>A wildlife damage control operator may not use property adjacent to a client's property as a work area or to gain access to the client's property without the adjacent property owner's permission.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>A wildlife damage control operator shall enter into a written agreement with the client that clearly conveys the:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Objective and scope of services, including potential disposition of the wildlife;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Anticipated dates of the wildlife damage control operator's work on the project;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Amount and method of remuneration for the services; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Requirement that the client must notify, verbally or in writing, any person who is likely to be affected by or witness the activities of the wildlife damage control operator, if the wildlife damage control:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Takes place outside of a dwelling or structure; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Involves the use of:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Body-gripping traps;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Drowning sets;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Foot-hold traps; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Snares.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>A wildlife damage control operator may not exploit clients served professionally by:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Accepting a wildlife damage control project if a benefit cannot reasonably be expected to accrue to the client;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Continuing wildlife damage control services when a benefit no longer accrues to the client;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Charging for services not rendered; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Misrepresenting services rendered.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>