State Legislation:

Update: Sadly, this bill did not complete the legislative process prior to adjournment.

Bill Description: If passed, this bill would make it unlawful for an owner or manager of elephants to engage in abusive treatment toward them. Specifically, this bill bans the use of electricity or martingales; deprivation of food, water, or rest; and physical punishment resulting in damage, scarring, or breakage of the skin.

Action: Please contact your state Delegate and urge him or her to support H 2061.

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Update: Good news! This bill did not complete the legislative process prior to adjournment.

Bill Description: If passed, this bill would allow predator control trappers to trap bobcats, coyotes, and cougars, and then sell them for the practice of hounding, "hound-running" or hound "penning." In so doing, the bill would water down existing law, which requires individuals in certain counties to register in order to possess certain dangerous wild animals. If this bill passes, these individuals would no longer be required to register these dangerous animals with local animal control, to maintain liability insurance for having these dangerous animals, to notify local animal control if the animals are sold or die, or to reimburse taxpayers for the costs of re-capturing the animals if the animals escape.

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Update: Sadly, this bill did not complete the legislative process prior to adjournment.

Bill Description: If this bill passes, the sale of puppies and kittens would be prohibited in open-air markets, on street corners, and in parking lots.

Action: Please contact your state Representative and urge him or her to support HB 278.

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Bill Description: If this bill passes, it will make it unlawful for a person who travels with elephants to engage in inhumane or abusive treatment toward them. Specifically, this bill prohibits the use of cruel training devices such as the bullhook (ankus) and chains.

Action: Please contact your state Senator and urge him or her to support SB 1870.

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Update: Great news! This legislation failed. Please stay tuned for any further developments.

Bill Description: If passed, this legislation would expand the hunting of bears by opening an additional hunting season in the spring.

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Update: Sadly, this legislation failed to garner the support it needed. Please stay tuned for any further developments.

Bill Description: If passed, this bill would require that sellers of fur garments include a label disclosing the type of animal whose fur was used in the garment as well as the country of origin (if imported). Federal law requires that garments made entirely or partly with fur must have a label disclosing certain data; however, that law does not apply to fur trim or fur products that are sold for $150 or less. H. 208 would close that loophole in Maryland by applying to all fur garments, regardless of the price.

Action: Please contact your state Representative and urge him or her to support H 208.

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