1. A. The Secretary of Agriculture is responsible for approving the giving away of a live animal (vertebrate) in the following cases when given:

   1. (1) As a prize or an inducement to enter a contest, game, or other competition; or
   2. (2) As an inducement to enter a place of amusement;
   3. (3) As an incentive to enter into a business agreement when an animal is offered for the purpose of attracting trade.

2. B. Approval for giving away a live animal is not required when the animal is given away:

   1. (1) As an agricultural project;
   2. (2) For a conservation purpose;
   3. (3) For slaughter.

Authority: Criminal Law Article, §10-610, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: June 15, 1979 (6:12 Md. R. 1052)

Regulation .02 amended effective July 6, 1992 (19:13 Md. R. 1203); January 2, 1994 (20:26 Md. R. 2028); August 12, 1996 (23:16 Md. R. 1176)

Regulation .03 amended effective August 12, 1996 (23:16 Md. R. 1176)