Maryland General Assembly Passes Two Major Animal Protection Bills

April 8, 2008

But Session Is a Mixed Bag, With No Action on Several Important Reforms

As the 2008 legislative session comes to a close, The Humane Society of the United States applauds the Maryland General Assembly for passing two important measures to protect animals.

Lawmakers passed legislation, sponsored by Del. James Malone (D-12A) and Sen. Norman Stone (D-6), to increase penalties for attending illegal dogfights and cockfights. Although Maryland has strong felony penalties for animal fighting and possession of fighting animals, the spectators who fuel this organized crime with lucrative admission fees and gambling wagers get away with a slap on the wrist.

With enactment of this bill, being a knowing spectator at an animal fight will be punishable by a maximum of one  year in prison and/or a $2,500 fine. The original measure would have made it a felony to be a spectator at an animal fight — bringing the penalties in line with 21 other states including neighbors such as Pennsylvania, Virginia and New Jersey — but lawmakers balked at strong felony penalties and substituted the higher misdemeanors. The HSUS applauds this step in the right direction, but is disappointed that the felony penalties were not adopted.

Legislation to ensure that animal shelters can obtain the drugs needed to sedate and anesthetize animals prior to euthanasia also passed the General Assembly. The bill, sponsored by Del. Jon Cardin (D-11), was introduced in response to a recent regulatory glitch that currently prevents shelters from obtaining these drugs. The HSUS praises the General Assembly for acting quickly in response to this serious issue.

"The people of Maryland care about the humane treatment of animals, and lawmakers did the right thing by strengthening laws against the cruel and degrading spectacles of dogfighting and cockfighting, and increasing protection for pets in Maryland animal shelters," said Michael Markarian, executive vice president of The HSUS.

In addition to these two laws that have been sent to the governor, two other animal protection bills passed one chamber before the session ended. Legislation to allow the inclusion of pets and service animals in protective orders, sponsored by Sen. Jamie Raskin (D-20) and Del. Susan McComas (R-35), passed the Senate, and a bill sponsored by Del. Kevin Kelly (D-1) to prohibit the transportation of dogs in the backs of pickup trucks passed the House. Neither of these measures passed through the other chamber before the session ended.

Unfortunately, a bill to require that all garments containing real fur be labeled failed in a House committee. Sponsored by Del. Tom Hucker (D-20), this important measure would have ensured that consumers — including those with ethical and allergy concerns — had the information they need to make purchasing decisions. The HSUS hopes that legislators will re-consider this measure next year.

Overall, animal protection issues commanded a great deal of attention during this year's legislative session. The Maryland General Assembly also considered legislation to increase penalties for animal cruelty, to prohibit the annual Maryland bear hunt, to require the spay/neuter of companion animals and to prohibit the force feeding of birds for the production of foie gras.

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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization — backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the web at humanesociety.org.