Summary of Anne Arundel County Animal Control Laws
Article 12 Section 4-402 Public Safety Threat An animal poses a public safety threat if the animal: Inflicts severe injury to a person Bites a person Kills or inflicts severe injury to a domestic animal Attacks a person Without provocation, chases or approaches a person in an attitude of attack Engages in encouraged dog fighting activity or shows evidence of having been engaged in encouraged dog fighting activity
Article 12 Section 4-601 Rabies Vaccination Anyone who owns or harbors a cat or dog 4 months of age or older must have the animal vaccinated for rabies and be able to provide proof of vaccination.
Article 12 4-702 Licensing The owner of any dog or cat 4 months of age or older must obtain a license for the animal.
Article 12 4-801 Dog Outdoors For each dog confined or tied outdoors, an owner shall provide: · A shelter to protect the dog from the wind, snow, rain, cold, and sunlight. A chain, rope, or line used to tie a dog which must be at least 10 feet in length. State and County law requires that all dogs have food and water.
Article 12 Section 4-903 Public Nuisance The owner of an animal may not permit the animal to be a public nuisance or to cause a public nuisance condition. Public nuisance includes the following acts by an animal:
· Molesting pedestrians
· Chasing vehicles
· Damaging property of someone other than the owner of the animal.
Article 12 Section 4-904 Animal Disturbances Prohibited It is unlawful for a person who owns, keeps, or has possession of an animal to permit the animal to disturb the quiet of a person or neighborhood.
Article 12 Section 4-905 Running at Large “At Large” means off the property of an animal’s owner and not leashed and not under the control of a responsible person.
Article 12 Section 4-909 Removal of Animal Excreta (especially important for the control of e. coli bacteria on public grounds) The owner of any animal shall be responsible for the removal of any excreta deposited by his or her animal on public walks, recreation areas, or private property other than his own. Title 10 Penalty Anyone violating section of Article 12 may be subject to a fine not less than $50 and up to $500.
A citizen that has observed the violation of an animal-related law under Article 12 may file an Affidavit of Complaint Form.
The affidavit must be notarized and returned to Animal Control within 30 days from the date of the alleged violation. If the affidavit is completed fully, accurately and duly notarized, Animal Control will issue a citation based on the sworn affidavit.
For more information, call (410) 222-8900 or visit their web site at: http://www.aacounty.org/AnimalControl/index.cfm
