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Maryland Code, Agriculture § 2-313.1

Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a) A veterinary practitioner who has reason to believe that an animal that has been treated by the veterinary practitioner has been subjected to cruelty or fighting in violation of § 10-604, § 10-606, § 10-607, or § 10-608 of the Criminal Law Article shall report the suspected animal cruelty or animal fighting to the appropriate law enforcement agency or county animal control agency in a timely manner.

(b) A veterinary practitioner who makes a report under subsection (a) of this section shall include in the report:

(1) The name, age, and location of the animal;

(2) The name and home address of the owner or custodian of the animal;

(3) The nature and extent of the suspected animal cruelty or animal fighting, including any evidence or information available to the veterinary practitioner concerning possible previous instances of animal cruelty or animal fighting; and

(4) Any other information that would help determine:

(i) The cause of the suspected animal cruelty or animal fighting; and

(ii) The identity of any individual responsible for the suspected animal cruelty or animal fighting.

(c) A veterinary practitioner who reports in good faith suspected animal cruelty or animal fighting or participates in an investigation of suspected animal cruelty or animal fighting is immune from:

(1) Civil liability that results from the report or participation in the investigation; or

(2) Criminal prosecution for the report or participation in the investigation.

(d) The Board shall adopt regulations establishing:

(1) Confidentiality procedures for protecting the identity of the veterinary practitioner making a report under this section;

(2) Confidentiality procedures for protecting the substance of a report made under this section and any records associated with the report; and

(3) Conditions under which the substance of a report may be disclosed.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Maryland Code, Agriculture § 2-313.1 - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/md/agriculture/md-code-agric-sect-2-313-1/

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