Maryland Criminal Law Sections 10-604 through 10-606 prohibit aggravated and general animal cruelty statewide, including failure to provide nutritious food, proper drink, air, space, shelter, and protection that constitutes hoarding.
Md. Code Ann., Criminal Law Section 10-604 makes it a misdemeanor to deprive an animal of necessary sustenance, inflict unnecessary suffering, or cruelly kill an animal. Section 10-606 elevates aggravated cruelty to a felony. While Maryland lacks a hoarding-specific statute, prosecutors apply the cruelty law to hoarding cases involving large numbers of animals kept in conditions that cause suffering. Local jurisdictions may enact additional animal welfare ordinances under Section 10-617, but the state cruelty floor applies uniformly. Convictions can include forfeiture of animals and prohibitions on future ownership.
Misdemeanor up to $1,000 fine and 90 days; felony aggravated cruelty up to 3 years and $5,000.
Annapolis, MD
Annapolis prohibits dogs from continuously barking or making noise that causes unreasonable disturbance. Complaints handled by city police and animal control...
Annapolis, MD
Annapolis prohibits unreasonably loud noise under City Code §11.12.020. Residential quiet hours run 10 PM to 7 AM under Maryland state dBA standards (55 dBA ...
Annapolis, MD
Annapolis permits construction noise 7 AM to 10 PM under Maryland state standards. Construction sounds may not exceed 90 dBA at the property line. Historic D...
Annapolis, MD
Annapolis requires driveways to connect to the street through approved curb cuts. Historic District driveway alterations require Historic Preservation Commis...
Annapolis, MD
Annapolis has metered parking (2-hour limit) throughout downtown and extensive residential permit parking zones near the Historic District, Naval Academy, an...
Annapolis, MD
Annapolis restricts commercial vehicle parking in residential zones overnight. Vehicles over 10,000 lbs GVW may not be parked in residential areas except for...
See how Annapolis's animal hoarding rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.