This bill establishes the following legal process: A person whose animals are lawfully seized in a cruelty case may be required to post a bond to cover the costs of caring for those animals, while the case is being adjudicated. The owner has the right to challenge the legality of the seizure and the amount of the bond requested. If the owner does not want to post the bond, the owner may allow the animals to be placed up for adoption.
38 states already have costs of care laws, including: Pennsylvania, Virginia, Delaware, and West Virginia. SB 760/HB 1080 will provide relief for financially strapped animal control agencies and shelters, as well as Maryland taxpayers, who should not be financially responsible for the animals seized in a cruelty case. Moreover, it will allow the animals who have been determined by their owner to be too much of a financial burden, to be adopted into loving homes – instead of waiting months or years – for the case to be decided.
How often do we get to pass legislation that is both compassionate and fiscally responsible? This bill is both. By establishing a uniform system, all parties, including the accused, the animals, and the animal control agencies are protected.
Please contact your legislators and tell them that you SUPPORT SB 760/HB 1080!
Thank you again for being an advocate for Maryland’s animals. Remember, Maryland Votes for Animals, Inc. can only succeed with the help of animal advocates like you. Please consider making a donation to Maryland Votes for Animals at voteanimals.org/donate now, so we can continue fighting for Maryland animals.
With compassion,
Maryland Votes for Animals, Inc.