LEONARDTOWN, Md. – At their meeting on March 19th, 2024, the St. Mary’s County Commissioners approved a public hearing scheduled for April 30th, 2024, to discuss the proposed revisions to the animal ordinance. The revision may lead to the implementation of a fee and a penalty of $250 in case your dog is not licensed.
When asked why this should be enforced, Animal Control Supervisor Joy Wilson explained that it is required by law since it’s a state statute.
“We do have to do it by state law, every county has to. We know that we’re bringing animals into rabies compliance…When your animal control officers are picking up animals in the field, if they have that county dog license we know where they live. We are able to get them home.”
Wilson also explained it is easier than other tracking methods and that a large population of dogs are currently unregistered.
When asked why these licenses expire, Animal Services Division Manager Theresa Marlowe explained that rabies certificates eventually expire.
According to the memo from Deputy Director Gerald Gardiner, “The current St. Mary’s Animal Control Ordinance was last updated and approved March 21, 2017. Prior to that update, it was last revised August 11, 2009.”
The proposed ordinance also includes the following:
- Ability to inspect and license those breeding and selling animals (mainly dogs) in the county.
- Ability to enforce altering and microchipping of dogs.
- Ability to require public liability insurance, posting of signs and fencing property where a dangerous dog resides.
- More definitive definition of adequate shelter, domestic animals, and a more defined penalty description for the public and for the ACOS.
- Proposed Ordinance Section 212.21 FEEDING CATS lN PARKS No person shall feed any cat located in any park owned or operated by the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County.
The public hearing will take place on April 30, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. at 41770 Baldridge St. Leonardtown, Md.
Click here to watch the 3/19/24 Commissioners of St. Mary’s County Meeting.
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