Maryland legislators have introduced a bill that would prohibit retail pet stores from selling dogs that are less than nine months old in age. A hearing for the measure, Senate Bill 505, is scheduled to go before the Senate Finance Committee on Feb. 18.

As introduced, SB 505 defines a “retail pet store” as a “for profit establishment open to the public that sells or offers for sale domestic animals to be kept as household pets.”

If approved, Maryland pet stores would not be allowed to display, sell, deliver, offer for sale or adoption, barter, auction, give away, transfer or dispose of a dog less than nine months old.

The rule would not apply to breeders; a publicly- or privately-operated humane society or nonprofit animal adoption organization; or an adoption event operated by a humane society or nonprofit animal adoption organization out of or in connection with a retail pet store.

Violators would be subject to a $500 fine for the first offense and $1,000 for each subsequent offense.

If approved, the measure would take effect on Oct. 1, 2010.

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