The Baltimore County Council on Monday passed three laws to protect animals from abuse and neglect, and to intervene more proactively in cases of dogs that could pose a danger.
Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier thanked the council members for passing “this important legislation,” which she called “a meaningful step forward.”
“Together, we’ve strengthened protections for animals, supported public safety, and created a system that helps protect animals from harm,” Klausmeier said in a statement. “I am grateful to everyone who helped us close gaps–including animal welfare advocates–in order to hold people accountable.”
Under Bill 29-26, residents who commit multiple animal-related violations within a 24-month period will be designated as “reckless animal owners.” They will also be banned from owning animals for four years, have any pet licenses revoked, and have any animals in their care seized from them.
Bill 30-26 shortens the window that residents are allowed to appeal an animal cruelty or neglect case from 30 days to 10 days. It also allows for greater flexibility for an animal’s placement while cases and appeals are handled, including allowing them to be placed in foster care arrangements.
The third bill, 31-26, adds a “potentially dangerous” animal category to the county’s classifications. This is in addition to “dangerous” and “menacing” categories. These threat levels are based on the six-level Dunbar Bite Scale, which ranges from no skin contact at all to a dog bite that results in death.
Penalties and interventions will be based on the severity of incidents.
