Baltimore, MD asked in Animal / Dog Law and Criminal Law for Maryland

Q: Can i press charges? argument happened and in retaliation my pet was grabbed up by the neck and threateand to kill her.

My roomate and i got in an argument and she grabbed my cat by the neck and picked her up off the ground like that and had her hanging in the air while threataning to snap her neck and kill her. My boyfriend was able to get our cat away and to safety but i feel as though something needs to be done so i need to know if i can press charges against her and how i would go about doing it.

1 Lawyer Answer
Thomas J. Maronick Jr
PREMIUM
Thomas J. Maronick Jr
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Glen Burnie, MD
  • Licensed in Maryland

A: Yes. Cruelty to animals is a jailable offense type in Maryland. As a pet lover and former pet owner these are cases -- cruelty to animals -- I refuse to defend unless I am convinced my client didn't commit the offense. Obviously the State's Attorney's Office will make a determination as to whether to take the case.

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