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Maryland Code, Criminal Law § 10-606

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

(a)(1) In this section, “sexual contact with an animal” means any act:

(i) involving:

1. a person touching the sex organ or anus of an animal;

2. contact between:

A. the sex organ or anus of a person and the mouth, sex organ, or anus of an animal; or

B. the sex organ or anus of an animal, and the mouth, sex organ, or anus of a person; or

3. insertion of:

A. any part of the body of a person into the opening of the vagina or anus of an animal;

B. any part of an animal's body into the opening of the vagina or anus of a person; or

C. any object into the opening of the vagina or anus of an animal; and

(ii) committed for the purpose of sexual arousal, sexual gratification, abuse, or financial gain.

(2) “Sexual contact with an animal” does not include:

(i) an accepted veterinary practice;

(ii) artificial insemination of an animal for reproductive purposes;

(iii) accepted animal husbandry practices, including:

1. grooming;

2. raising;

3. breeding;

4. assisting with the birthing process; or

5. any other activity that provides care for an animal; or

(iv) generally accepted practices relating to the judging of breed confirmation.

(b) A person may not:

(1) intentionally:

(i) mutilate an animal;

(ii) torture an animal;

(iii) cruelly beat an animal;

(iv) cruelly kill an animal; or

(v) engage in sexual contact with an animal;

(2) cause, procure, or authorize an act prohibited under item (1) of this subsection; or

(3) except in the case of self-defense, intentionally inflict bodily harm, permanent disability, or death on an animal owned or used by a law enforcement unit.

(c)(1) A person who violates this section is guilty of the felony of aggravated cruelty to animals and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or a fine not exceeding $5,000 or both.

(2) As a condition of sentencing, the court may:

(i) order a defendant convicted of violating this section to:

1. participate in and pay for psychological counseling; and

2. pay, in addition to any other fines and costs, all reasonable costs incurred in removing, housing, treating, or euthanizing an animal confiscated from the defendant; and

(ii) prohibit a defendant from owning, possessing, or residing with an animal for a specified period of time.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Maryland Code, Criminal Law § 10-606 - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/md/criminal-law/md-code-crim-law-sect-10-606/

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.

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