Create a statute that recognizes animals' consciousness and refutes the notion they are just mere goods. Maryland has the opportunity to lead the way on creating substantive animal rights by re-classifying transactions involving animals.

Because dogs are good, not goods! Maryland's adoption of the Uniform Commercial Code (that includes the sale of pets in the UCC's definition of consumer goods) should be revised. Pets are living beings and extra protections should be conferred in any transaction involving the transfer of guardianship of an animal. Maryland's dogs deserve better!