Animal Control Ordinance
Originally Published: March 25, 2024
Updates, New Fees Go to Public Forum
A public forum was approved by the County Commissioners at the request of the Department of Emergency Services during the Commissioner’s March 19th meeting. Developed through a process involving many stakeholders, and managed by the Animal Control Advisory Board, the updated ordinance streamlines language, adds, defines, and expands various regulations, violations, authorities of the Animal Control Division, and requirements for animal owners.
Throughout the ordinance, revised definitions clarify and expand the coverage of specified terms. For example, a “domestic animal” is now defined as “any animal kept for any purpose other than agricultural use or production for consumption, or any animal kept as a companion pet.” Previously, the definition specified certain types of animals.
Many sections now have fines for violations, ranging from as little as $100 (for abandoning an animal) to as much as $1000 (for various things, including violating leash/tether laws and leaving an animal in a hot vehicle). Regulations around “potentially dangerous dogs” were also expanded and clarified. An expanded definition of what constitutes a “potentially dangerous dog” and empowering Animal Control to impose insurance, leash/muzzle, signage, kenneling, spay/neuter, and documentation requirements on the animal’s owner are included. Commissioners Alderson and Hewitt asked how a dog is labeled as “potentially dangerous.” DES Deputy Director Gerald Gardiner said a complaint is filed with DES, who then confers with the County Administrator’s Office during decision making. The process is not explicitly defined in the proposed ordinance.
One change likely to affect a significant amount of people is the addition of a required dog license and fee. If enacted, the ordinance would make it “unlawful for any person or business entity to own, keep, or harbor a dog 4 months old, or older, without a current St. Mary’s County dog license.” In order to obtain a license, a dog owner must provide proof of rabies vaccination and pay $7 if the dog is spayed/neutered, or $20 if unaltered. Additionally, anyone with five or more dogs is required to obtain a Commercial Kennel License. For 5-11 animals the fee is $100; 12-24 animals is $200; 25+ is $400. Any violation is subject to a $250 fine. Adding the license requirement brings the county in compliance with state law.
Other additions to the ordinance include a section with rules for “Impoundment, Redemption, and Adoption” of animals; a section prohibiting any person from feeding any cat “located in any park owned or operated by the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County;” and a “Female in Season” section specifying “any domestic dog or cat in season must be kept indoors” to prevent unintended breeding. Relatedly, in the current ordinance an “owner” does not include those feeding/caring for “feral cats,” a phrase swapped for “community cat caretaker” in the revised version.
The Commissioners will hear public feedback on April 30th, 6:30PM in the Commissioners Meeting Room located at 41770 Baldridge St., Leonardtown. In lieu of appearing at the public forums, comments can be sent to csmc@stmaryscountymd.gov.
