{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-criminal-law-10-624","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Criminal Law § 10–624","heading":"","body":"(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a person may not:\n(1) crop or cut off the ear of a dog;\n(2) dock or cut off the tail of a dog;\n(3) cut off the dewclaw of a dog; or\n(4) surgically birth a dog.\n(b) A procedure described in subsection (a) of this section may be performed by a licensed veterinarian using anesthesia when appropriate on the animal.\n(c) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to:\n(1) for a first offense, imprisonment not exceeding 90 days or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both; and\n(2) for a second or subsequent offense, imprisonment not exceeding 180 days or a fine not exceeding $5,000 or both.","path":["Article - Criminal Law"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gcr\u0026section=10-624","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:57:08Z","sha256":"3c5cc39a0fcefd0c646da90bbd35d8952511a43bb562322d29cf7578b65d929c","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-criminal-law-10-623","next":"us-md/md.-code-criminal-law-10-625"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}