Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 10-101 Definitions.
§ 10-101. Definitions.
(a) In general.
In this title, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
(b) Alter.
“Alter” means to surgically or chemically render an animal incapable of reproducing.
(c) Animal.
“Animal” means any living creature other than a human being.
(d) Animal at large.
“Animal at large” has the meaning stated in § 10-504 of this title.
(e) Animal clinic.
“Animal clinic” means any facility that is regularly used by a veterinarian for the immunization, diagnosis, or treatment of or surgery on animals.
(f) Animal enforcement officer.
“Animal enforcement officer” has the meaning stated in § 10-110 {“Animal enforcement officers”} of this title.
(g) Animal fancier.
“Animal fancier” means a person who owns or keeps, within or adjoining a private residence, 2 or more animals for the non-commercial purposes of:
(1) breeding;
(2) hunting;
(3) tracking;
(4) exhibition in shows; or
(5) exhibition in field or obedience trials.
(h) Animal shelter.
“Animal shelter” means any facility that is owned or operated by or under contract with the City or a humane society for the care or detention of animals under authority of State or City law.
(i) Animal show.
“Animal show” means any commercial circus, variety show, spectacle, display, act, or event in which animals perform.
(j) {Vacant}
(k) Cat.
(1) In general.
“Cat” means any domesticated feline.
(2) Exclusions.
“Cat” does not include any:
(i) wild or exotic feline; or
(ii) except as specifically stated, feral cat.
(l) Commercial establishment.
(1) In general.
“Commercial establishment” means, except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, any person engaged in the business of selling, transferring, or conveying animals or providing animal services.
(2) Inclusions.
“Commercial establishments” includes any:
(i) animal auction;
(ii) animal show;
(iii) commercial kennel;
(iv) commercial pet distribution or other facility where animals are held for sale at wholesale or for distribution to other commercial establishments or to zoological parks, aviaries, or aquariums;
(v) grooming establishment or similar facility where animals are cleaned, bathed, clipped, plucked, or otherwise groomed for a fee;
(vi) stable or other facility for horses;
(vii) pet shop;
(viii) petting zoo or other commercial establishment, activity, or facility that permits persons to come into physical contact with animals maintained by the establishment, activity, or facility; or
(ix) zoological park.
(3) Exclusions.
“Commercial establishments” does not include any:
(i) animal clinic, unless it engages in the boarding of healthy animals not currently being treated by the clinic;
(ii) animal shelter; or
(iii) animal fancier.
(m) Commercial kennel.
(1) In general.
“Commercial kennel” means, except as specified in paragraph (2) of this subsection, any facility:
(i) for the commercial breeding of dogs or cats; or
(ii) where dogs or cats are boarded, groomed, sold, bought, or trained for a fee.
(2) Exclusions.
“Commercial kennel” does not include any:
(i) animal clinic, unless it engages in the boarding of healthy animals not currently being treated by the clinic;
(ii) animal shelter; or
(iii) animal fancier.
(n) Custodian.
“Custodian” means a person:
(1) who temporarily or permanently provides food, shelter, and care for an animal in the absence of the owner; or
(2) who exercises control over the particular animal on a regular basis.
(o) Dangerous animal.
“Dangerous animal” has the meaning stated in § 10-702 of this title.
(p) Dog.
“Dog” means any member of the domesticated canine species.
(q) Domesticated animal.
“Domesticated animal” means any animal of a species that:
(1) has been bred and raised and is accustomed to live in or about the habitation of humans; and
(2) is dependent on humans for food or shelter.
(r) Exotic animal.
(1) In general.
“Exotic animal” means:
(i) any wild animal of a species that is not indigenous to the State of Maryland; and
(ii) any other animal that the Commissioner specifies by rule or regulation adopted under § 2-106 “Rules and regulations”} of this subtitle.
(2) Inclusions.
“Exotic animal” includes any hybrid animal that is part exotic animal.
(s) Feral cat.
“Feral cat” means a cat that is unsocialized to humans and has a temperament of extreme fear of and resistance to contact with humans.
(t) Feral cat caregiver.
“Feral cat caregiver” means any person who, in accordance with a program approved by the Commissioner to trap, alter, vaccinate for rabies and distemper, ear tip, and return feral cats:
(1) provides care, including food, shelter, or medical care, to the cat; or
(2) has temporary custody of the cat.
(u) Humane officer.
“Humane officer” means an agent of a humane society who has been registered and approved by the Commissioner to perform the duties specified in this title.
(v) Humane society.
“Humane society” means an entity incorporated under the laws of this State for the prevention of cruelty to animals or for promoting the humane care and treatment of animals.
(w) Hybrid animal.
“Hybrid animal” means any animal that is a cross bred between a domesticated animal, exotic animal, or wild animal.
(x) Keep.
“Keep” means for an owner, custodian, or occupant of real property to:
(1) feed or shelter any animal on the premises of the occupant, custodian, or owner; or
(2) to permit another to feed or shelter any animal on the premises of the occupant, custodian, or owner.
(y) Office.
“Office” means the Health Department’s Office of Animal Control or the Office’s agent.
(z) Owner.
“Owner” means any person who:
(1) has a right of property in the animal;
(2) is the parent or guardian of a minor who owns or possesses an animal (and, for the purposes of this title, the parent or guardian is responsible for the animal); or
(3) is the individual who has been approved for a license or permit of an animal.
(aa) Panel.
“Panel” means the Animal Hearing Panel in the Department of Health.
(bb) Pet.
“Pet” means any animal kept primarily for pleasure rather than utility.
(cc) Pet shop.
“Pet shop” means any establishment, whether maintained separately or in connection with another commercial enterprise, that offers live animals for sale with the intent or expectation that they be kept as pets.
(dd) Veterinarian.
“Veterinarian” means an individual authorized by law to practice veterinary medicine in the State of Maryland.
(ee) Vicious animal.
“Vicious animal” has the meaning stated in § 10-703 of this title.
(ff) Wild animal.
“Wild animal” means any animal that is normally found in the wild.
(gg) Zoological park.
(1) In general.
“Zoological park” means a facility in which more than 1 species of animal:
(1) is confined within enclosures; and
(2) exhibited or displayed to the public for a fee.
(2) Inclusions.
“Zoological park” includes an aquarium.
(3) Exclusions.
“Zoological park” does not include the other animal establishments listed in the definition of “commercial establishment”.
(Text Conformed 03/10/21; Ord. 11-573; Ord. 07-583; Ord. 99-548; Ord. 00-024.)