{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-criminal-law-10-607","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Criminal Law § 10–607","heading":"","body":"(a) In this section, “baiting” means using a dog to train a fighting dog or to test the fighting or killing instinct of another dog.\n(b) A person may not:\n(1) use or allow a dog to be used in a dogfight or for baiting;\n(2) arrange or conduct a dogfight;\n(3) possess, own, sell, transport, or train a dog with the intent to use the dog in a dogfight or for baiting; or\n(4) knowingly allow premises under the person’s ownership, charge, or control to be used to conduct a dogfight or for baiting.\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=10-607","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:57:08Z","sha256":"d83ccb91f06ccf5bdfb29ab5025713e1d04984e924571d4b38df86210a459d70","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-criminal-law-10-606","next":"us-md/md.-code-criminal-law-10-607.1"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}