{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-criminal-law-10-604","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Criminal Law § 10–604","heading":"","body":"(a) A person may not:\n(1) overdrive or overload an animal;\n(2) deprive an animal of necessary sustenance;\n(3) inflict unnecessary suffering or pain on an animal;\n(4) cause, procure, or authorize an act prohibited under item (1), (2), or (3) of this subsection; or\n(5) if the person has charge or custody of an animal, as owner or otherwise, unnecessarily fail to provide the animal with:\n(i) nutritious food in sufficient quantity;\n(ii) necessary veterinary care;\n(iii) proper drink;\n(iv) proper air;\n(v) proper space;\n(vi) proper shelter; or\n(vii) proper protection from the weather.\n(b) (1) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 90 days or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both.\n(2) As a condition of sentencing, the court may order a defendant convicted of violating this section to:\n(i) participate in and pay for psychological counseling; and\n(ii) 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.\n(3) As a condition of probation, the court may prohibit a defendant from owning, possessing, or residing with an animal.","path":["Article - Criminal Law"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gcr\u0026section=10-604","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:57:08Z","sha256":"970f746fad7f597505d05a91f893990c64a58602ffbd7ecea4808e4b55d5d9cd","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-criminal-law-10-603","next":"us-md/md.-code-criminal-law-10-604.1"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}