Source: https://www.animallaw.info/statute/md-dangerous-animals-part-iv-animal-control
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 23:50:03+00:00

Document:
This chapter of Maryland laws declares that it is in the public interest to ensure public health and safety by strictly regulating the possession, breeding, and importation of certain animals that pose risks to humans. Certain animals such as domestic dogs, cats, and ferrets; animal used for agricultural, scientific, or education purposes; and animals used for public exhibitions are excluded from the provisions of this section. Any person who imports, transports, sells, transfers, breeds, raises, keeps, or possesses any animal which is prohibited under regulations promulgated by the Secretary is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $500, or imprisonment not exceeding 1 year, or both.
The General Assembly finds and declares that it is in the public interest to ensure the public health, safety, and welfare by strictly regulating in this State the importation, transportation, sale, transfer, breeding, raising, keeping, and possession of certain animals which pose a possibility of the introduction of a disease or pest harmful to humans, or endangers the physical safety of human beings.
Added by Acts 1986, c. 805, § 1, eff. July 1, 1986.
(2) Endowed with sensation and power of voluntary motion.
Added by Acts 1986, c. 805, § 1, eff. July 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1988, c. 6, § 1, eff. July 1, 1988; Acts 2016, c. 8, § 1, eff. March 14, 2016.
(a) The Secretary may prohibit the importation, selling, trading, purchasing, bartering, breeding, raising, keeping, or possession of any animals found to be dangerous to human health and safety.
(8) Any animal that the Secretary determines is not a threat to human health and safety.
(c) This section may not be construed to prohibit the breeding, raising, keeping, or possession of turtles by a person who has obtained a permit under Title 10, Subtitle 9 of the Natural Resources Article.
Added by Acts 1986, c. 805, § 1, eff. July 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1996, c. 684, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1996; Acts 2002, c. 261, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2002.
Nothing in this part prevents or prohibits any county, municipal corporation, or Baltimore City from imposing stricter possession requirements or banning possession of certain animals.
Added by Acts 1986, c. 805, § 1, eff. July 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 2016, c. 8, § 1, eff. March 14, 2016.
When prohibiting animals that may also be harmful to indigenous wildlife or agricultural animals under § 18-219 of this subtitle, the Secretary shall coordinate with the Departments of Natural Resources and Agriculture.
(a) Any person who imports, transports, sells, transfers, breeds, raises, keeps, or possesses any animal which is prohibited under § 18-219 of this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $500, or imprisonment not exceeding 1 year, or both.
(b) Any animal, whose possession or keeping is prohibited under § 18-219 of this subtitle shall be considered a nuisance and a contraband, and is subject to seizure by any authorized law-enforcement officer.

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