Criminal Law Subcommittee reports House Bill 53 favorably after debate over zebras and other exotic pets

The Criminal Law Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee on Tuesday voted to report House Bill 53 favorably after a work session that focused on whether zebras and other exotic animals should be added to the state list of prohibited private pets.

Chair Delegate N. Scott Phillips, the subcommittee chair for criminal law, presided over the hearing. Testimony from Stacy Belodin of the Humane World Society for Animals recounted a 2021 episode in Prince George's County in which a breeder’s animals escaped, saying "four zebras got loose" and that "two of the zebras were running loose for 4 months," an incident she said involved state natural-resources staff and local law enforcement. Belodin argued zebras present distinct containment challenges because, she said, "zebras are not horses with stripes."

A delegate proposed a narrow amendment to remove the word "zebra" from the bill, arguing that many zebra owners keep hybrids or animals that resemble horses and that banning them could criminalize longstanding private ownership without a corresponding public-safety benefit. The proponent described the amendment as a simple fix: "It just removes the word zebra." The committee did not formally move that amendment; a member moved the bill "as originally introduced," and Delegate Moreno seconded the motion.

During discussion, several members asked whether zebra–horse hybrids would be covered by the bill. Belodin said inclusion of hybrids would be a matter for the committee to resolve and offered that her instinct would be not to include first-generation hybrids, but she said she had not fully researched the technical details. Chair Phillips clarified that, as written, the bill specifically names zebras (rather than hybrids) and would add "zebras, kangaroos, walruses and wallabies" to the list.

The subcommittee took a roll-call style vote. Chair Phillips and Delegates Conway, Woods, Carden, Moreno and Embree recorded "aye" votes; Delegates Eric Khan and McComas recorded "no" votes. Chair Phillips announced, "The bill passes and will be referred to the committee as favorable." The measure will be scheduled for consideration by the full Judiciary Committee.

The hearing record includes written testimony with an appendix listing related incidents from roughly 2020 through 2025, which supporters cited as justification for the bill. The witness also emphasized that privately owned animals currently on the list are grandfathered in under the bill’s existing language.

Next steps: the subcommittee-reported favorable recommendation will be transmitted to the full Judiciary Committee for further consideration.