Three bills aiming to improve the safety and wellbeing of animals and humans alike will be introduced at the Baltimore County Council’s work session Monday night.
The trio of legislation include efforts to make it harder for repeat offenders of animal-related violations to own and care for animals; expedite appeals, hearings, and decisions in animal cruelty and neglect cases; and establish earlier intervention for “potentially dangerous” animals.
“Animals bring so much joy and companionship into our lives, and how we treat them matters,” Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier said in a statement. “We have a responsibility to make sure they’re safe, cared for, and protected from harm. That’s why I’m proud to stand with our partners to strengthen our laws, close gaps, and hold people accountable. This is about doing right by the animals who depend on us.”
Baltimore County Council Chair Mike Ertel and Councilmen Julian Jones, Izzy Patoka, and David Marks are co-sponsoring the legislative package, which was developed with Baltimore County Animal Services.
First bill
The first of the three bills would create a new Animal Protection and Humane Care provision in county law.
Residents who commit multiple animal-related violations within a 24-month period would receive a new “reckless animal owner” designation, be banned from owning animals for four years, have any pet licenses revoked, and have any animals in their care seized from them.
“On behalf of the BCAS staff, volunteers, and all of the animals in our care – as well as the pet owners and potential pet owners who need our assistance – we look forward to a successful outcome to this legislative process,” Baltimore County Health Officer Dr. Lucy Wilson said in a statement.
Second bill
The second bill would shorten the amount of time it takes to handle animal cruelty and neglect cases.
Currently, appeals can take weeks or months to resolve. The window to file an appeal would be shortened from 30 days to 10 days.
While cases and appeals are handled, animals often remain in the custody of the county’s animal services department, which puts more stress on animals and increases the costs for taxpayers. The legislation would allow greater flexibility for an animal’s placement during this period, including in foster care.
Third bill
Different sections of county law classify animals as either “menacing” or “dangerous” depending on their threat level. The third bill joins those provisions of county law, as well as establishes a new category for “potentially dangerous” animals in an effort to intervene more proactively.
Animals would be designated either a “potentially dangerous,” “dangerous,” or “menacing” threat based on the six-level Dunbar Bite Scale, which measures the severity of a dog bite ranging from no skin contact whatsoever up to a bite that results in an individual’s death.
The bill would align penalties and interventions with the severity of incidents.
“During this Easter and Passover season of compassion and renewal, we are proud to take meaningful steps to protect animals and promote a more humane Baltimore County,” Baltimore County Councilman Izzy Patoka (D- District 2) said in a statement.
“As we found with Oscar’s Law, which ensured more humane treatment of our pets, animal welfare is a truly bipartisan issue,” Baltimore County Councilman David Marks (R-District 5) said in a statement. “I thank the administration and all our stakeholders for working on this legislation.”
