Article - Business Regulation
§19–701.
(a) In this subtitle
the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b) “Animal
control unit” has the meaning stated in § 10–617
of the Criminal Law Article.
(c) “Animal
welfare organization” means a nonprofit organization established
to promote animal welfare that has tax exempt status under §
501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.
(d) “Breeder”
means a person who breeds or raises dogs to sell, exchange, or otherwise
transfer to the public.
(e) “Clinically
ill” means an illness that is apparent to a licensed veterinarian
based on observation, examination, or testing of the dog.
(f) (1) “Dealer”
means a person who, for compensation:
(i) buys, sells,
or negotiates the purchase of a dog; or
(ii) delivers for
transport or transports a dog.
(2) “Dealer”
does not include a person who transports a dog as a carrier only.
(g) “Nonelective
surgical procedure” means a surgical procedure that is necessary
to preserve or restore the health of an animal or to correct a condition
that would:
(1) interfere with
the animal’s ability to walk, run, jump, or otherwise function
in a normal manner; or
(2) cause pain
and suffering to the animal.
(h) “Offer
for sale” includes to sell, offer to transfer, offer for adoption,
advertise for the sale, barter, auction, giveaway, or otherwise dispose
of a domestic animal.
(i) “Purchaser”
means any person who purchases a dog from a retail pet store.
(j) “Retail
pet store” means a for–profit establishment open to the
public that sells or offers for sale domestic animals to be kept as
household pets.