SYNOPSIS OF THE ANIMAL CONTROL LAWS FOR
ALLEGANY COUNTY MARYLAND
Chapter 117 (As amended) and
Annotated Code of Maryland Article 43

ALLEGANY COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL LAWS
 CHAPTER 117

SECTION 7 – Dogs Running at Large

All dogs in Allegany County must have and display a current license at all times, for it shall be unlawful for the owner of any dogs to allow said dogs to be at large in Allegany County, meaning to be off the premises or property of the owner, unless under restraint, except dogs accompanied by the owner or trainer and being used or trained for hunting or police purposes being followed by a person on foot, horseback or in vehicles. At special crowded events, the exceptions preceding may be temporarily rescinded by the ASM and the dog required to be on a leash.

PENALTIES $15.00 TO $55.00

SECTION 8 – Impoundment of Dogs

A dog found at large with or without a valid license tag shall, except as provided above, be impounded by the ACP and taken to the Allegany County Animal Shelter and there be confined in a humane manner for a period of not less than 96 hours, unless sooner claimed and redeemed by its owner.  The ACP shall use whatever humane means necessary to catch the dog and are hereby relieved from any liability from harm or injury to the dog.  The ACP shall make a reasonable effort to identify the animal’s owner.  At the end of 96 hours as indicated above, unclaimed animals shall be deemed abandoned and become the property of the Brd. Of County Commissioners of Allegany County and shall be disposed of in the manner prescribed by the ASM and approved by the Commissioners.

SECTION 9 – Redemption of Impounded Animals

1. Upon impounding an animal, the ACP shall cause a prompt and reasonable effort to be made to locate and notify the animal’s owner.

2. The owner of an impounded animal shall be entitled to redeem such animal, except as hereinafter provided, upon compliance with the license provisions of Section19-22, herein, and payment of redemption fees and proof of ownership if required.

3. Redemption fees as provided in this section shall be assessed for each calendar day or portion thereof during which the animal was boarded at the animal shelter.

4. When dogs are found running at large, and their ownership is known, such dogs, if they are legally licensed, need not be impounded by ACP, but may, at their discretion, notify the owner, who can reclaim the dog upon paying the redemption fee, without the impounding fee, if the redemption is made that day.

5. The owner of any dog seized as above provided may redeem it from the ACP within 96 hours from the time of apprehension by presenting current dog license certificate and tag and paying a pickup charge and the board bill per day for the time the dog is held at a duly established public animal shelter.  IMPOUND FEES $10.00 - $40.00 PLUS $8.00/DAY

SECTION 10 – Failure to Reclaim Impounded Animals

1. Any animal not redeemed within the time stated may be placed for adoption by the ASM.

2. An unclaimed dog or cat may not be released for adoption by the ASM without being sterilized or without the adopter entering into a written agreement in accordance with Section 11 of this chapter.

3. And adopter must abide by the terms of any contract entered into with the ASM in accordance with this chapter or in accordance with policy established by the Allegany County Animal Control Board.

4. An animal found by the ASM to be aggressive or dangerous may not be placed for adoption.

5. No wild animal shall be available for adoption.

6. Any unclaimed animal which is unredeemed or unadopted may be humanely euthanized or otherwise disposed of in accordance with this chapter and applicable state law.

SECTION 11 – Sterilization PENALTY $100.00

1. Unless exempted by the ASM, no dog or cat shall be released for adoption from the animal shelter without being sterilized or without written agreement from the adopter guaranteeing that such animal be sterilized.

2. Sterilization shall be required within 30 days of adoption or within 30 days of the animal’s 6-month birthday.  The ASM shall determine and establish sterilization fees.  Said fee shall be collected at the time of adoption.  The fee shall be paid by the ASM to a participating local veterinarian of the adopter’s choice when the sterilization procedure has been completed.  Any additional costs in excess of the collected fee owed to the veterinarian shall be the responsibility of the adopter.  Any fees, which are not redeemed, shall become the property of Allegany County.

SECTION 12 – Disposition of Dead Dogs FEES $5.00 - $25.00

1. The owner of any dog, which has died from disease, or any other cause shall forthwith provide for the cremation or burial of the same.  ACP may dispose of the carcass and a fee shall be charged for this service.  If the owner of any dead dog is not known and after inquiry cannot be found, ACP shall dispose of said carcass by cremation, burial, or other approved manner.

2. The ASM, at this discretion, may dispose of any live animals, which may be delivered to him for the purpose of euthanizing.  In said event, the owner of said animal shall pay the appropriate fee for this service.

SECTION 13 - Dangerous Dogs 

Every fierce, dangerous or vicious dog, including a dog that has bitten a human, shall be confined by the owner within a building or secure enclosure, and such animal shall not be taken out of such building or enclosure unless securely muzzled and under restraint.

PENALTIES$100.00 - $600.00

SECTION 14 – Confinement of Dogs in Heat

Every female dog, while in heat, shall be kept confined in a building or secure enclosure by the owner in such a manner that she will not be in contact, except for intentional breeding purposes, with another dog and not create a nuisance by attracting other dogs.

PENALTIES $15.00 - $55.00

SECTION 15 – Animals Disturbing the Peace

Any animal which disturbs the peace and quiet of an inhabited area by excessive noise, including, by way of example and not as a limitation, excessive barking, whining, howling or crying or molesting passersby, chasing vehicles, attacking other domestic animals or depositing excretory matter on property other that that of its owner shall be deemed a disturbance.  The barking of hunting dogs in pursuit of game shall not be considered a disturbance of public peace for the purposes hereof.  The disturbance of the peace and quiet of an inhabited area as set forth herein shall constitute a violation of this chapter.  

PENALTIES $15.00 - $55.00

SECTION 16 – Dogs Attacking Other Animals or Humans

Any person may kill any dog which he sees in the ant of pursing, attacking, wounding or killing any human being, or any poultry or livestock, whether or not such dog bears the proper license tag required by this chapter.  There shall be no liability upon such person or persons in damages or otherwise for such killing.  All such cases shall be promptly reported to the ASP and be investigated by ASP.

SECTION 17 – Dog Licenses

1. License required.  Every person owning or harboring a dog within Allegany County shall apply for a license and tag for each dog harbored or owned by him, excepting dogs kept under a kennel license.

2. Application.  An application for a license shall state the name, breed, age, color and markings of each animal.  Valid proof of current rabies immunization issued by the Allegany County Health Dept. or by a duly licensed veterinarian shall accompany the application.  Application for a spayed female shall include a certificate in writing signed by a duly licensed veterinarian describing the dog and stating that to his knowledge the dog has been spayed.  PENALTIES $25.00 - $100.00 PER DOG

3. Exemptions from Licensing.

   Owners of dogs used as seeing eye, hearing aid, or as government police dogs are exempt from the fee requirements.  However, each dog shall have a current rabies vaccination and the owners must, upon request, provide proof that the dog falls within the exempted categories.

   Any dog belonging to a non-resident of the County and kept within the boundaries of the County for no longer than 30 days, provided that said dog meets all other requirements of this chapter.

   Dogs under the age of 6 months.