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Maryland Code, Criminal Law § 10-626

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

(a) In this section, “service animal” has the meaning stated in § 7-701 of the Human Services Article.

(b) A person may not willfully and maliciously:

(1) kill a service animal or allow an animal that the person owns or over which the person has immediate control to kill a service animal;

(2) injure a service animal or allow an animal that the person owns or over which the person has immediate control to injure a service animal; or

(3) interfere with the use of a service animal or allow an animal that the person owns or over which the person has immediate control to interfere with the use of a service animal.

(c)(1) A person who violates subsection (b)(1) or (2) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 2 years or a fine not exceeding $2,500 or both.

(2) A person who violates subsection (b)(3) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both.

(3) As a condition of sentencing, the court may order a defendant convicted of violating this section to pay, in addition to fines and costs, full restitution for all damages arising out of the offense, including:

(i) the value of the service animal;

(ii) replacement and training or retraining expenses for the service animal and handler;

(iii) veterinary and other medical and boarding expenses for the service animal;

(iv) medical expenses for the handler; and

(v) lost wages or income incurred by the handler during any period that the handler is without the services of the service animal.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Maryland Code, Criminal Law § 10-626 - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/md/criminal-law/md-code-crim-law-sect-10-626/

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