Md. Code, Criminal Law § 10-608
This is the official text of Md. Code, Criminal Law § 10-608, part of Maryland’s Code, Criminal Law — defines crimes and punishments in Maryland.
Not legal advice. This page reproduces the official text of a government statute for reference only. Laws change, and how a statute applies depends on your specific facts. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed attorney in your state.
§10–608.
Official statutory text
(a) (1) In this section, “implement of cockfighting” means any implement or device intended or designed:
(i) to enhance the fighting ability of a fowl, cock, or other bird; or
(ii) for use in a deliberately conducted event that uses a fowl, cock, or other bird to fight with another fowl, cock, or other bird.
(2) “Implement of cockfighting” includes:
(i) a gaff;
(ii) a slasher;
(iii) a postiza;
(iv) a sparring muff; and
(v) any other sharp implement designed to be attached in place of the natural spur of a gamecock or other fighting bird.
(b) A person may not:
(1) use or allow the use of a fowl, cock, or other bird to fight with another animal;
(2) possess, with the intent to unlawfully use, an implement of cockfighting;
(3) arrange or conduct a fight in which a fowl, cock, or other bird fights with another fowl, cock, or other bird;
(4) possess, own, sell, transport, or train a fowl, cock, or other bird with the intent to use the fowl, cock, or other bird in a cockfight; or
(5) knowingly allow premises under the person’s ownership, charge, or control to be used to conduct a fight in which a fowl, cock, or other bird fights with another fowl, cock, or other bird.
(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.
(i) to enhance the fighting ability of a fowl, cock, or other bird; or
(ii) for use in a deliberately conducted event that uses a fowl, cock, or other bird to fight with another fowl, cock, or other bird.
(2) “Implement of cockfighting” includes:
(i) a gaff;
(ii) a slasher;
(iii) a postiza;
(iv) a sparring muff; and
(v) any other sharp implement designed to be attached in place of the natural spur of a gamecock or other fighting bird.
(b) A person may not:
(1) use or allow the use of a fowl, cock, or other bird to fight with another animal;
(2) possess, with the intent to unlawfully use, an implement of cockfighting;
(3) arrange or conduct a fight in which a fowl, cock, or other bird fights with another fowl, cock, or other bird;
(4) possess, own, sell, transport, or train a fowl, cock, or other bird with the intent to use the fowl, cock, or other bird in a cockfight; or
(5) knowingly allow premises under the person’s ownership, charge, or control to be used to conduct a fight in which a fowl, cock, or other bird fights with another fowl, cock, or other bird.
(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.
Status: in_force · Read it on the official government site
Dealing with a criminal defense matter in Maryland?
See all Maryland Criminal Defense lawyers
About this page: Statute text is reproduced from official government publishers via the
Open US Law dataset
(Vaquill AI, snapshot v2026.08, CC BY 4.0). Primary legislative text like this is public domain under the government-edicts doctrine
(Georgia v. Public.Resource.Org, 2020). We link every section back to its official source so you can verify it independently.