Full Statute Name:  West's Annotated Code of Maryland. Courts and Judicial Proceedings. Title 11. Judgments. Subtitle 1. Judgments--Miscellaneous. § 11-110. Pet injuries; damages.

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Primary Citation:  MD Code, Courts and Judicial Proceedings, § 11-110 Country of Origin:  United States Last Checked:  November, 2024 Alternate Citation:  MD CTS & JUD PRO § 11-110 Date Adopted:  1989 Historical: 
Summary: This Maryland statute provides that the measure of damages for tortious injury or death to a pet is the market value of the pet before the injury, or the cost of veterinary care that does not exceed $7,500.

Definitions

(a)(1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

(2) “Compensatory damages” means:

(i) In the case of the death of a pet, the fair market value of the pet before death and the reasonable and necessary cost of veterinary care; and

(ii) In the case of an injury to a pet, the reasonable and necessary cost of veterinary care.

(3)(i) “Pet” means a domesticated animal.

(ii) “Pet” does not include livestock.

Compensatory damages

(b)(1) A person who tortiously causes an injury to or death of a pet while acting individually or through an animal under the person's ownership, direction, or control is liable to the owner of the pet for compensatory damages.

(2) The damages awarded under paragraph (1) of this subsection may not exceed $10,000.

Credits
Added by Acts 1989, c. 594. Amended by Acts 1999, c. 399, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1999; Acts 2005, c. 250, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2005; Acts 2017, c. 413, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2017. 
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