Criminal Law - Crimes Relating to Animals - Conviction and Sentencing

SB 152 modifies Maryland's animal cruelty laws to clarify exemptions and sentencing rules. It exempts routine veterinary practices (like dehorning), federally compliant research, and activities such as hunting or food processing when conducted humanely. The bill also establishes that each animal harmed in a cruelty violation counts as a separate offense for sentencing, and convictions cannot merge with other charges from the same act, allowing for consecutive sentences. This directly affects farmers, veterinarians, researchers, hunters, and individuals convicted of animal cruelty.