Md. Code Regs. 08.03.15.18

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 12, June 14, 2024

Section 08.03.15.18 - Business Practices

A. A wildlife damage control operator may not engage in any form of false or misleading advertising or promotional activities, including, but not limited to, the falsification or misrepresentation of:

(1) The work of a wildlife damage control operator or of an individual employed by the wildlife damage control operator;

(2) The academic or professional qualifications or affiliations of the wildlife damage control operator; or

(3) The experience or licensing status of the wildlife damage control operator.

B. In rendering professional services, a wildlife damage control operator may not counsel or assist anyone, including, but not limited to, a wildlife damage control operator's client, in conduct a wildlife damage control operator knows, or is reasonably expected to know, is illegal or improper.

C. A wildlife damage control operator may not use property adjacent to a client's property as a work area or to gain access to the client's property without the adjacent property owner's permission.

D. A wildlife damage control operator shall enter into a written agreement with the client that clearly conveys the:

(1) Objective and scope of services, including potential disposition of the wildlife;

(2) Anticipated dates of the wildlife damage control operator's work on the project;

(3) Amount and method of remuneration for the services; and

(4) Requirement that the client must notify, verbally or in writing, any person who is likely to be affected by or witness the activities of the wildlife damage control operator, if the wildlife damage control:

(a) Takes place outside of a dwelling or structure; and

(b) Involves the use of:

(i) Body-gripping traps;

(ii) Drowning sets;

(iii) Foot-hold traps; or

(iv) Snares.

E. A wildlife damage control operator may not exploit clients served professionally by:

(1) Accepting a wildlife damage control project if a benefit cannot reasonably be expected to accrue to the client;

(2) Continuing wildlife damage control services when a benefit no longer accrues to the client;

(3) Charging for services not rendered; or

(4) Misrepresenting services rendered.

Md. Code Regs. 08.03.15.18