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.
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