Source: https://www.animallaw.info/statute/md-exotic-pets-subtitle-6-crimes-relating-animals
Timestamp: 2019-04-26 00:23:48+00:00

Document:
Under this Maryland law, a person may not import into the State, offer for sale, trade, barter, possess, breed, or exchange the following species of animals: foxes, skunks, raccoons, bears, caimans, alligators, crocodiles, wild cats, wolves, nonhuman primates, and venomous snakes. Animal sanctuaries, AWA licensed facilities, those holding valid permits from the Department of Natural Resources, and veterinarians are exempted. This section does not prohibit a person who had lawful possession of an animal listed above on or before May 31, 2006, from continuing to possess that animal if the person provided written notification to the local animal control authority on or before August 1, 2006. Violation results in a fine and seizure of the animal(s).
Link to MD HEALTH GEN § 18-217 - 222 (Part IV. Animal Control) - 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.
3. does not allow members of the public to be in proximity to an animal specified under subsection (b) of this section, including opportunities to be photographed with the animal, without sufficient distance and protective barriers.
(2)(i) This section does not prohibit a person who had lawful possession of an animal specified in subsection (b) of this section on or before May 31, 2006, from continuing to possess that animal if the person provides written notification to the local animal control authority on or before August 1, 2006.
3. a photograph of the animal or a description of a tattoo or microchip identification of the animal.
(ii) dedicated to improving the quality of life of a person who has a disability that severely limits mobility.
(viii) poisonous snake in the family groups of Hydrophidae, Elapidae, Viperidae, or Crotolidae.
(2)(i) This paragraph does not apply to an entity described in subsection (a)(1)(i), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi), (vii), or (viii) of this section.
(ii) Except as provided in subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph, the holder of a Class C Exhibitor's License under the Animal Welfare Act, 7 U.S.C. § 2131 et seq., may not possess a nonhuman primate, bear, lion, tiger, leopard, clouded leopard, snow leopard, jaguar, cheetah, or cougar or a hybrid of one of these animals that was not owned by the holder of the license on June 30, 2014.
5. maintains and implements a training plan regarding zoonotic disease risk and prevention.
(ii) if not an individual, a fine not exceeding $10,000.
(ii) the local animal control authority for the jurisdiction where the violation occurs.
(ii) the animal poses a risk to public health or public safety.
(ii) the return of the animal does not pose a risk to public health or public safety.
3. delivering the notice to a person residing on the property from which the animal was seized.
7. a statement that, unless a court finds that the seizure of the animal was not justified, the actual costs of the care, keeping, and disposal of the animal are the responsibility of the person from whom the animal was seized.
(4)(i) Before a seizure under paragraph (1) of this subsection occurs, the person in possession of the animal to be seized may request that the animal remain in the person's physical custody for 30 days after the date the animal was to be seized.
(ii) During the 30 days provided in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, the person shall take all necessary actions to comply with this section.
(iii) At any reasonable time during the 30-day period, the local animal control authority may inspect the premises where the animal is being kept.
(5)(i) If a person who retains possession of an animal under paragraph (4) of this subsection is not in compliance with this section after the 30-day period has expired, the local animal control authority shall seize the animal and place it in a holding facility that is appropriate for the species.
(ii) The authority seizing an animal under this paragraph shall provide notice of the seizure in the same manner as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection.
(6)(i) A person from whom an animal was seized may request a hearing in the District Court within 10 days of the seizure.
(ii) A hearing shall be held as soon as practicable to determine the validity of the seizure and the disposition of the animal.
(7)(i) Unless the court finds that the seizure of the animal was not justified by law, a person from whom the animal specified in subsection (b) of this section is seized is liable for all actual costs of care, keeping, and disposal of the animal.
(ii) The costs required under this paragraph shall be paid in full unless a mutually satisfactory agreement is made between the local animal control authority and the person claiming an interest in the animal.
(8)(i) If there is no request for a hearing within 10 days of the notice or if the court orders a permanent and final disposition of the animal, the local animal control authority shall take steps to find long-term placement of the animal with another appropriate facility that is equipped for the continued care of the particular species of the animal.
(ii) If there is no entity that is suitable for the care of the animal, the animal may be euthanized.
(e) This section does not limit a county or municipality from enacting laws or adopting regulations that are more restrictive pertaining to any potentially dangerous animals, including those specified in subsection (b) of this section.
(f) If the owner of an animal specified in subsection (b) of this section dies without making arrangements for the transfer of custody of the animal to another person, the animal may be turned over to one of the organizations specified in subsection (a)(1) of this section or euthanized if no suitable location can be found in a reasonable amount of time.
Added by Acts 2002, c. 26, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 2002. Amended by Acts 2006, c. 468, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2006; Acts 2014, c. 198, § 1, eff. July 1, 2014; Acts 2014, c. 199, § 1, eff. July 1, 2014.

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