MD GENERAL LAWS SUPPLEMENT
1890 - 1898
CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.
1890, ch. 198.
46 B. Any person who willfully sets on foot, instigates, engages in, or in any way furthers any act of cruelty to any animal, or any act tending to produce such cruelty, or by any act, conduct, neglect, or omission willfully causes, permits or suffers any animal to undergo any species of torture or cruelty, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor.
Ibid.
46 C. The words "torture or cruelty" shall be held to include everything whereby unjustifiable physical pain, suffering or death is caused or permitted, and the word animal shall be held to include every living creature except men.
1892, ch. 340.
46 D. Justices of the peace shall have jurisdiction concurrent with that of the courts of criminal jurisdiction, to try and determine all cases in relation to cruelty to animals and to pronounce sentence of fine and imprisonment, or either, in the same manner as said courts; but if either the parties accused or the State's attorney shall elect to have the case tried before court, it shall be the duty of the justice of the peace to give a preliminary hearing, except in cases where such hearing is waived by the accused, and if there be a probable cause of guilt, to commit or bail the accused for the action of the court having jurisdiction.
Ibid.
46 E. Whenever a fine is imposed in any such case by any court or justice of the peace, one-half thereof shall be paid to the Maryland Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Baltimore City, in case there shall be no society of a similar character in the county, city, or town where the offense shall have been committed, in which latter event the said one-half of the fine shall be paid to the said local society.
1892, ch. 340.
46 F. The justice of the peace before whom any party accused shall be brought for his action under the provision of sections 46B to 46F, shall before proceeding to try and determine the case, make known to such party his right to a trial before the court having criminal jurisdiction, as aforesaid, and shall obtain from such party a written waiver of said right, signed by such party, to be filed among the proceedings in the case and to be noted on the docket of said justice.
1894, ch. 142.
46 G. It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to shoot or otherwise kill or maim any Antwerp or homing pigeon, commonly called and known by the name of "carrier pigeon" either while in flight or at rest.
Ibid.
46 H. Any person violating the provisions of the preceding section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction, shall for every such offense pay a fine not exceeding ten dollars.
Ibid.
46 I. It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to entrap, catch or detain any Antwerp or homing pigeon, commonly called and known by the name of "carrier pigeon;" provided, however, that such pigeon shall at the time have the name of the owner stamped upon its wing or tail, or having a band with the owners initial, name or number on its leg; and any person or persons violating the provisions of this section shall be liable to the same penalty as that prescribed in the proceeding section.