Help Prevent Animal Abusers From Owning Pets in Maryland

A Maryland bill that would allow judges to prohibit animal abusers from owning animals is going to Governor Larry Hogan’s desk for signature. An Act Concerning Animal Cruelty- Sentencing Conditions (HB 212/SB 1038) passed the Maryland General Assembly and now just has to be signed by Governor Hogan before it becomes law.

This bill allows judges to prohibit a defendant convicted of aggravated animal cruelty from “owning, possessing, or residing with an animal for a specified period of time.” Aggravated animal cruelty includes crimes such as intentionally mutilating, torturing and cruelly beating an animal. These offenders have proven that they cannot humanely interact with animals. Although some animal abusers may be able to rehabilitated, aggravated abusers display a violent personality that can escalate over time. This bill will protect innocent animals from ending up in the hands of these dangerous offenders.

So far 26 states and the District of Columbia have laws mandating or allowing judges to ban animal abusers from owning animals. Help Maryland become the next state that passes this law! Contact Governor Hogan here and urge him to sign HB 212/SB 1038 into law.

If you do not live in Maryland or would also like to help out animals at the federal level, check out our list of federal bills that will help cats here.

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