{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-criminal-law-10-626","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Criminal Law § 10–626","heading":"","body":"(a) In this section, “service animal” has the meaning stated in § 7–701 of the Human Services Article.\n(b) A person may not willfully and maliciously:\n(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;\n(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\n(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.\n(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.\n(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.\n(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:\n(i) the value of the service animal;\n(ii) replacement and training or retraining expenses for the service animal and handler;\n(iii) veterinary and other medical and boarding expenses for the service animal;\n(iv) medical expenses for the handler; and\n(v) lost wages or income incurred by the handler during any period that the handler is without the services of the service animal.","path":["Article - Criminal Law"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gcr\u0026section=10-626","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:57:08Z","sha256":"1bb670a681d73503b36ef2ff604d5c92e6367fa1eaa220da9e0e0bbb3aebef92","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-criminal-law-10-625.1","next":"us-md/md.-code-criminal-law-10-627"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}