Revisions made to a heavily debated animal regulations bill were approved by the Charles County Commissioners, who passed the bill unanimously on Tuesday afternoon. The commissioners commended county staff for making several changes to the bill after receiving feedback from the community.
The bill was first introduced in July, where residents fired back instantly over proposed “Breed Specific Legislation” involving pit breed dogs. After the breed specific language was removed, regulations involving feral cats took center stage. In the final draft, passed on Tuesday, the language involving ownership and feral cats was changed.
Many of the licensing fees that opponents blasted in the public hearings were also removed, with the current economic situation cited.
Other changes made to the legislation: Breeding from family pets will not meet licensing mandates, cats will be exempt from having to wear licensing tags if they are micro chipped and fees will not be imposed for those who rescue animals from Charles county animal shelter.
Previous coverage:
Bully Breed Restrictions Proposed
Reader’s Letter: Stop the Pit Bull Ban in Charles County
Pitbull Ordinance Deaws Opposition
