Maryland Code, CRIMINAL LAW 10-625
Terms Used In Maryland Code, CRIMINAL LAW 10-625
- Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
- Person: includes an individual, receiver, trustee, guardian, personal representative, fiduciary, representative of any kind, corporation, partnership, business trust, statutory trust, limited liability company, firm, association, or other nongovernmental entity. See
- state: means :
(1) a state, possession, territory, or commonwealth of the United States; or
(2) the District of Columbia. See
(2) “Devocalize” includes debarking, devoicing, silencing, ventriculocordectomy, vocal cordectomy, bark reduction, and bark softening.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a person may not surgically devocalize a dog or cat.
(c) A licensed veterinarian may surgically devocalize a dog or cat only if:
(1) anesthesia is administered to the animal during the procedure; and
(2) the veterinarian provides the owner or keeper of the animal a written certification that:
(i) states that the procedure on the animal was medically necessary to treat or relieve a physical illness, a disease, or an injury, or to correct a congenital abnormality that is causing or will cause the animal medical harm or pain; and
(ii) contains:
1. the date and description of the veterinarian’s examination and evaluation;
2. supporting diagnoses and findings;
3. the name and current address and telephone number of the animal’s owner or keeper; and
4. the name and current address and telephone number, State license number, and signature of the veterinarian.
(d) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to:
(1) for a first offense, imprisonment not exceeding 90 days or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both; and
(2) for a second or subsequent offense, imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or a fine not exceeding $2,000 or both.