Md. Code, Criminal Law § 10-613
This is the official text of Md. Code, Criminal Law § 10-613, 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.
§10–613.
Official statutory text
(a) This section does not apply to:
(1) a biomedical facility that is licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture; or
(2) an animal that is accompanied by a signed statement from a licensed veterinarian stating that the animal’s dam is incapacitated for humane or medical reasons and cannot care for the animal.
(b) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a person may not sell or distribute in the State or bring into the State for the purpose of sale or distribution a domestic dog or cat less than 8 weeks of age unless accompanied by its dam.
(2) A person may give an unaccompanied dog or cat to:
(i) an animal shelter or pound that is operated or supported by a government; or
(ii) a humane society.
(c) (1) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $500.
(2) For purposes of humane disposal, a court may seize an animal brought into this State in violation of this section.
(1) a biomedical facility that is licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture; or
(2) an animal that is accompanied by a signed statement from a licensed veterinarian stating that the animal’s dam is incapacitated for humane or medical reasons and cannot care for the animal.
(b) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a person may not sell or distribute in the State or bring into the State for the purpose of sale or distribution a domestic dog or cat less than 8 weeks of age unless accompanied by its dam.
(2) A person may give an unaccompanied dog or cat to:
(i) an animal shelter or pound that is operated or supported by a government; or
(ii) a humane society.
(c) (1) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $500.
(2) For purposes of humane disposal, a court may seize an animal brought into this State in violation of this section.
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.