 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
HOW MUCH IS YOUR CASE WORTH?Title 10. Crimes Against Public Health, Conduct, and Sensibilities. Subtitle 6. Crimes Relating to Animals (Refs & Annos). § 10-619. Dangerous dog.Statute Details Printable Version Citation: MD CRIM LAW § 10-619 Citation: MD Code, Criminal Law, § 10-619 Summary: This Maryland statute outlines what is a "Dangerous dog." As defined by statute, it is a dog that, without provocation, has killed or inflicted severe injury on a person, or it is a potentially dangerous dog that bites a person, when not on its owner's real property, kills or inflicts severe injury on a domestic animal, or attacks without provocation. An owner of a dangerous dog must keep the dog securely enclosed on his or her property or must muzzle and restrain the dog. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $2,500. Statute in Full: Definitions (a)(1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. (2) "Dangerous dog" means a dog that: (i) without provocation has killed or inflicted severe injury on a person; or (ii) is determined by the appropriate unit of a county or municipal corporation under subsection (c) of this section to be a potentially dangerous dog and, after the determination is made: 1. bites a person; 2. when not on its owner's real property, kills or inflicts severe injury on a domestic animal; or 3. attacks without provocation. (3)(i) "Owner's real property" means real property owned or leased by the owner of a dog. (ii) "Owner's real property" does not include a public right-of-way or a common area of a condominium, apartment complex, or townhouse development. (4) "Severe injury" means a physical injury that results in broken bones or disfiguring lacerations requiring multiple sutures or cosmetic surgery. Exception (b) This section does not apply to a dog owned by and working for a governmental or law enforcement unit. Determination of potentially dangerous dog (c) An appropriate unit of a county or municipal corporation may determine that a dog is potentially dangerous if the unit: (1) finds that the dog: (i) has inflicted a bite on a person while on public or private real property; (ii) when not on its owner's real property, has killed or inflicted severe injury on a domestic animal; or (iii) has attacked without provocation; and (2) notifies the dog owner in writing of the reasons for this determination. Prohibited (d) A dog owner may not: (1) leave a dangerous dog unattended on the owner's real property unless the dog is: (i) confined indoors; (ii) in a securely enclosed and locked pen; or (iii) in another structure designed to restrain the dog; or (2) allow a dangerous dog to leave the owner's real property unless the dog is leashed and muzzled, or is otherwise securely restrained and muzzled. Required notice (e) An owner of a dangerous dog or potentially dangerous dog who sells or gives the dog to another shall notify in writing: (1) the authority that made the determination under subsection (c) of this section, of the name and address of the new owner of the dog; and (2) the person taking possession of the dog, of the dangerous behavior or potentially dangerous behavior of the dog. Penalty
(f) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $2,500.
|
|