Maryland SB 319 – A Bill Limiting Possion Of Breeding Dogs

Does the State Of Maryland Want To Make Owning Dogs A Crime?  Yes, siree, Bob! Especially Sexually Intact Dogs

DOWNLOAD THE BILL HERE: http://mlis.state.md.us/2009rs/bills/sb/sb0318f.pdf

EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*sb0318*

SENATE BILL 318
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By: Senators Gladden, Della, Madaleno, and Stone
Introduced and read first time: January 28, 2009
Assigned to: Judicial Proceedings

A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Criminal Law – Crimes Relating to Animals – Limitations on Possession of
Breeding Dogs

FOR the purpose of prohibiting a person from owning, possessing, controlling, or
otherwise having custody of more than a certain number of breeding dogs at any
time; establishing enclosure size and exercise requirements to be met by a
person owning, possessing, controlling, or otherwise having custody of more
than a certain number of breeding dogs; establishing a penalty for a violation of
this Act; exempting certain facilities from the requirements of this Act; defining
certain terms; and generally relating to limitations on the possession of
breeding dogs.

BY adding to
Article – Criminal Law
Section 10–624
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2002 Volume and 2008 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:
Article – Criminal Law
10–624.
(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE
MEANINGS INDICATED.
(2) “BREEDING DOG” MEANS A DOG WITH INTACT SEXUAL ORGANS.
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(3) (I) “RETAIL PET STORE” MEANS A COMMERCIAL
ESTABLISHMENT THAT ENGAGES IN A FOR–PROFIT BUSINESS OF SELLING AT
RETAIL CATS, DOGS, OR OTHER ANIMALS TO BE KEPT AS HOUSEHOLD PETS.
(II) “RETAIL PET STORE” DOES NOT INCLUDE A PERSON OR
ESTABLISHMENT THAT BREEDS OR RAISES ANIMALS TO SELL, EXCHANGE,
BROKER, OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THE ANIMALS TO THE PUBLIC AS
HOUSEHOLD PETS.
(B) THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO:
(1) A PUBLICLY OPERATED ANIMAL CONTROL FACILITY OR
ANIMAL SHELTER;
(2) A PRIVATE, CHARITABLE, NONPROFIT HUMANE SOCIETY OR
ANIMAL ADOPTION ORGANIZATION;
(3) A VETERINARY FACILITY;
(4) A RETAIL PET STORE;
(5) A RESEARCH INSTITUTION; OR
(6) A BOARDING FACILITY.
(C) A PERSON MAY NOT OWN, POSSESS, CONTROL, OR OTHERWISE HAVE
CHARGE OR CUSTODY OF MORE THAN 50 BREEDING DOGS OVER THE AGE OF 4
MONTHS AT ANY TIME.
(D) (1) A PERSON WHO OWNS, POSSESSES, CONTROLS, OR
OTHERWISE HAS CHARGE OR CUSTODY OF MORE THAN 10 BREEDING DOGS
OVER THE AGE OF 4 MONTHS SHALL PROVIDE FOR EACH DOG:
(I) AN ENCLOSURE WITH:
1. AN INTERIOR HEIGHT OF AT LEAST 6 INCHES
HIGHER THAN THE HEAD OF THE TALLEST DOG IN THE ENCLOSURE WHEN THE
DOG IS IN A NORMAL STANDING POSITION; AND
2. SUFFICIENT SPACE TO ALLOW THE DOG TO TURN
ABOUT FREELY, STAND, SIT, AND LIE DOWN SUCH THAT, WHEN FULLY
EXTENDED, NO PART OF THE DOG’S BODY TOUCHES ANY SIDE OF THE
ENCLOSURE OR ANY OTHER DOG IN THE ENCLOSURE; AND

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(II) UNLESS THE DOG IS CERTIFIED BY A DOCTOR OF
VETERINARY MEDICINE TO BE MEDICALLY PRECLUDED FROM EXERCISE, A
MINIMUM OF TWO EXERCISE PERIODS EACH DAY FOR A TOTAL OF AT LEAST 2
HOURS OF EXERCISE EACH DAY.
(2) THE EXERCISE REQUIRED UNDER PARAGRAPH (1)(II) OF THIS
SUBSECTION:
(I) SHALL INCLUDE REMOVING THE DOG FROM ITS
PRIMARY ENCLOSURE AND ALLOWING THE DOG TO WALK FOR THE ENTIRE
EXERCISE PERIOD; AND
(II) UNLESS PRESCRIBED BY A DOCTOR OF VETERINARY
MEDICINE, MAY NOT INCLUDE USE OF A TREADMILL, CAT MILL, JENNY MILL,
SLAT MILL, OR SIMILAR DEVICE.
(E) A PERSON WHO VIOLATES THIS SECTION IS GUILTY OF A
MISDEMEANOR AND ON CONVICTION IS SUBJECT TO A FINE NOT EXCEEDING
$1,000.
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
October 1, 2009.