Hannah v. State

Corey Hannah v. State of Maryland, No. 1500, Sept. Term 2022. Opinion filed on March 1, 2024, by Wells, C.J. ANIMALS – INJURING OR KILLING ANIMALS IN GENERAL – CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY Under Maryland Code, Criminal Law § 10-606(b)(1)(ii), the intentional torture of an animal constitutes the felony of aggravated animal abuse. Because the statute does not define the word “torture,” the legislature intended that “torture” bear its natural and ordinary meaning. An act, omission, or neglect that causes or permits unnecessary or unjustifiable physical pain or suffering to an animal constitutes…