Md. Code, Criminal Law § 10-626
This is the official text of Md. Code, Criminal Law § 10-626, part of Maryland’s Code, Criminal Law — defines crimes and punishments in Maryland.
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§10–626.
Official statutory text
(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.
(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.
Status: in_force · Read it on the official government site
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