1. (a) This section does not apply to:

   1. (1) an animal welfare organization or animal control unit displaying dogs or cats for adoption or the adoption of dogs or cats from an animal welfare organization or animal control unit; or
   2. (2) a dog breeder and a specific individual purchaser conducting a prearranged sale of a dog if the location of the prearranged sale is not at a regularly scheduled or recurring event.

2. (b) A person may not offer for sale, sell, offer to transfer, transfer, barter, trade, or auction a dog or cat at any public place, including:

   1. (1) a street;
   2. (2) a highway;
   3. (3) a public right-of-way;
   4. (4) a public parking lot;
   5. (5) a carnival;
   6. (6) a boardwalk;
   7. (7) a swap meet;
   8. (8) a fair; or
   9. (9) a flea market.
3. (c) An animal control officer under the jurisdiction of the State or a local governing body and an officer of a society or association, incorporated under the laws of the State for the prevention of cruelty to animals, authorized to make arrests under § 10-609 of the Criminal Law Article may enforce subsection (b) of this section.

4. (d) A person who violates this section is subject to:

   1. (1) for a first violation, a civil penalty not exceeding $500;
   2. (2) for a second violation, a civil penalty not exceeding $1,000; and
   3. (3) for a third or subsequent violation, a civil penalty not exceeding $1,500.

Added by Acts 2016, c. 572, § 1, eff. June 1, 2016; Acts 2016, c. 573, § 1, eff. June 1, 2016.