{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-criminal-law-10-606","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Criminal Law § 10–606","heading":"","body":"(a) (1) In this section, “sexual contact with an animal” means any act:\n(i) involving:\n1. a person touching the sex organ or anus of an animal;\n2. contact between:\nA. the sex organ or anus of a person and the mouth, sex organ, or anus of an animal; or\nB. the sex organ or anus of an animal, and the mouth, sex organ, or anus of a person; or\n3. insertion of:\nA. any part of the body of a person into the opening of the vagina or anus of an animal;\nB. any part of an animal’s body into the opening of the vagina or anus of a person; or\nC. any object into the opening of the vagina or anus of an animal; and\n(ii) committed for the purpose of sexual arousal, sexual gratification, abuse, or financial gain.\n(2) “Sexual contact with an animal” does not include:\n(i) an accepted veterinary practice;\n(ii) artificial insemination of an animal for reproductive purposes;\n(iii) accepted animal husbandry practices, including:\n1. grooming;\n2. raising;\n3. breeding;\n4. assisting with the birthing process; or\n5. any other activity that provides care for an animal; or\n(iv) generally accepted practices relating to the judging of breed confirmation.\n(b) A person may not:\n(1) intentionally:\n(i) mutilate an animal;\n(ii) torture an animal;\n(iii) cruelly beat an animal;\n(iv) cruelly kill an animal; or\n(v) engage in sexual contact with an animal;\n(2) cause, procure, or authorize an act prohibited under item (1) of this subsection; or\n(3) except in the case of self–defense, intentionally inflict bodily harm, permanent disability, or death on an animal owned or used by a law enforcement unit.\n(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.\n(2) As a condition of sentencing, the court may:\n(i) order a defendant convicted of violating this section to:\n1. participate in and pay for psychological counseling; and\n2. 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\n(ii) prohibit a defendant from owning, possessing, or residing with an animal for a specified period of time.","path":["Article - Criminal Law"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gcr\u0026section=10-606","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:57:08Z","sha256":"f906a5866cd802406d87dd515517cc22d57c08bb4e0fdaca32faa3334ee44d3d","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-criminal-law-10-605","next":"us-md/md.-code-criminal-law-10-607"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}