Urge Maryland to Legislate With FACTS not FEAR - OPPOSE HB53

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Maryland lawmakers are being asked to pass House Bill 53, a measure that would expand the state’s criminal prohibitions on certain nondomesticated animals, including zebras, kangaroos, wallaroos, and wallabies. While supporters portray this legislation as a “public safety” measure, the facts tell a very different story.

There is no crisis to solve in public safety in Maryland involving these species. There have been no documented attacks, no surge in injuries, and no public safety emergency requiring sweeping new criminal prohibitions. In fact, Maryland’s own 2023 Animal Bite and Non-Bite Exposure Report does not indicate a pattern of incidents involving these animals that would justify such a drastic expansion of government authority.

HB53 is not a response to a documented problem. It is legislation driven by ideology, not evidence.

Lawful Owners Should Not Be Treated Like Criminals

Across Maryland and throughout the country, there are responsible animal owners, licensed exhibitors, breeders, and educational facilities that care for nondomesticated species with professionalism and expertise. Many are regulated under federal law, including oversight through the U.S. Department of Agriculture for exhibitors and breeders operating under the Animal Welfare Act.

These are not reckless individuals keeping dangerous animals in suburban backyards. They are lawful operators, often small businesses or family-run educational exhibitors, who provide public education, conservation awareness, agritourism experiences, and responsible animal stewardship.

HB53 would subject these law-abiding citizens to new criminal restrictions despite the absence of documented harm. That is not sound public policy. It is government overreach.

“Grandfathering” Is Not Protection

Supporters of HB53 argue that current owners will be grandfathered in. But grandfather clauses are often far less protective than they appear.

HB53 imposes new reporting and compliance requirements while restricting transfer, sale, breeding, and movement. Over time, these restrictions effectively phase out lawful ownership. Animals cannot be replaced. Breeding may be curtailed. Businesses become unsustainable. Educational exhibitors lose viability.

In other words, HB53 does not simply regulate. It eliminates.

If lawmakers truly believed current owners are responsible and safe, there would be no reason to slowly legislate them out of existence.

Maryland Already Has Laws to Address Real Risks

Maryland already regulates dangerous animals under existing criminal law. Law enforcement has authority to intervene in cases of neglect, abuse, or genuine public safety threats. The state does not lack tools to address misconduct.

Good public policy targets bad actors. HB53 instead targets entire categories of animals, and by extension the people who responsibly care for them, without evidence that such sweeping action is necessary.

Expanding criminal prohibitions without documented incidents sets a troubling precedent. If zebras and kangaroos can be banned absent evidence of harm, what species will be next? This incremental expansion of prohibitions should concern anyone who values fairness, property rights, and evidence-based governance.

Economic and Educational Impacts Matter

Many animal exhibitors contribute to local economies through tourism, school programming, fairs, and agricultural events. Educational encounters foster appreciation for wildlife and conservation. Small, regulated operators often work closely with veterinarians, inspectors, and community partners.

HB53 would undermine these lawful enterprises without demonstrating any measurable public safety benefit.

At a time when lawmakers across the country speak about supporting small businesses, rural communities, and responsible agriculture, Maryland should not enact unnecessary restrictions that harm compliant operators who have done nothing wrong.

Legislate Based on Evidence, Not Emotion

Public safety legislation should be grounded in documented need, credible data, and measurable risk. The 2023 Maryland exposure data does not demonstrate a crisis involving the species targeted by HB53.

When there is no demonstrated problem, sweeping criminal prohibitions are not responsible governance. They are unnecessary and onerous.

Maryland lawmakers should table HB53 and instead focus on enforcing existing laws against actual misconduct. Responsible animal owners, exhibitors, and educational facilities deserve fair treatment, not suspicion based on activism-driven narratives.

We ask that you PLEASE TAKE ACTION

HB53 has advanced and may soon be considered by the full Maryland House of Delegates. If you value responsible animal ownership, fair regulation, and evidence-based policymaking, now is the time to speak up.

Contact list of Maryland Delegates below and urge them to vote NO on HB53. Simply copy/past the email addresses and send an email to each Maryland Delegate and tell them:

There is no documented crisis involving these species.
Lawful owners and exhibitors should not be penalized without evidence of harm.
Existing Maryland law already addresses genuine public safety concerns.
HB53 is unnecessary, overbroad, and harmful to compliant small businesses and educational exhibitors.

Maryland deserves policy built on facts, not fear.

Now is the time to make your voice heard.

THANK YOU FOR TAKING ACTION TO PROTECT LAWFUL ANIMAL OWNERS IN MARYLAND! Simply cut and paste the email addresses below for each member of the Maryland House of Delegates and email them your message opposing Maryland HB53.

Members of the Maryland House of Delegates:

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Urge Maryland to Legislate With FACTS not FEAR – OPPOSE HB53

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