Maryland Legislation Introduced to Address Sow Stalls

April 4, 2007 — 

Bills have been introduced in both houses of the Maryland legislature making it illegal to house pigs in stalls that do not allow them to turn around.

HB 1246 and SB 821 state that a person may not tether or confine a pig during pregnancy on a farm in a manner that prevents the pig from lying down and fully extending its limbs or turning around freely.

A person convicted of violating this act would be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or a fine not exceeding $1000, or both. Each instance of confining a pig in a manner that violates this act would be considered a separate offense.

If enacted, the law would take effect on October 1, 2007.