In addition to the other provisions of this chapter and the powers granted in § 10-615 of the Criminal Law Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, as amended from time to time, the following shall apply:
A. 
If an animal is impounded, yarded, confined without necessary food, water, proper attention, is subject to cruelty, abuse, or is neglected:
(1) 
Animal Control Officers, humane officers, law enforcement officers, other public officials authorized to protect animals, or any invited and accompanying veterinarian licensed in the state may enter the real property where the animal is located and:
(a) 
Supply the animal with necessary food, water, and attention; or
(b) 
Remove the animal if removal is necessary for the health of the animal or to protect it from cruelty.
(2) 
A person who enters real property under this section is not liable because of the entry.
(3) 
A person who removes an animal under this section shall notify the owner, keeper or custodian of the removal and any administrative remedies that may be available to the owner or custodian.
(4) 
If an administrative remedy is not available, the owner or custodian may file a petition for the return of the animal within 10 days after the removal.
B. 
Animal Control Officers are authorized to seize and impound at-large, stray, abandoned animals and prohibited animals.
C. 
If the Animal Control Officer determines that an animal has threatened, may continue to present a threat, or continues to present a threat to the public safety and welfare, the Animal Control Officer may:
(1) 
Seize and impound the animal if the animal is on public property or property other than the owner's.
(2) 
As permitted by law, enter real property and seize and impound the animal.
(3) 
Obtain a search warrant or other legal remedy to seize and impound the animal.
D. 
Animals seized and impounded for threatening the public's safety and welfare shall remain impounded at the sheltering facility or other facility as may be required, pending the outcome of a hearing. The owner shall be notified of the date, time and place for the scheduled hearing.
E. 
If a person has been issued two citations within the past 12 months for the same offense and the owner, keeper or custodian has failed to abate the activity, the Animal Control Officer is authorized to seize and impound the animal pending the outcome of a hearing.
A. 
The Animal Control Officer shall make a prompt and reasonable effort to locate and notify the owner, keeper or custodian of an impounded animal.
B. 
The Animal Control Officer shall make the initial determination if the seized animal is contagious, seriously ill, severely injured, or if it is unsafe to be taken to the Sheltering Facility and is authorized to take, or arrange for, the animal to be examined by a licensed veterinarian. In the event that a licensed veterinarian examines a seized animal, the veterinarian shall:
(1) 
Provide care and treatment deemed necessary by the veterinarian.
(2) 
Provide the Animal Control Officer with a written statement that shall include:
(a) 
The initial condition of the animal.
(b) 
Care and treatment provided.
(c) 
Future care and treatment, if required.
(d) 
Recommendation(s) for the disposition of the animal, including humane euthanasia, if required.
C. 
In addition to the costs incurred for sheltering the animal, the owner shall be responsible for all veterinarian expenses.
A. 
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, any animal impounded subject to a hearing shall be held pending the outcome of the hearing.
B. 
Impounded animals not subject to hearing.
(1) 
Impounded animals not subject to a hearing shall be held for the owner for a period of not less than three business days, excluding holidays, at the sheltering facility or other facility as may be required.
(2) 
Any owner not redeeming his/her animal within three business days, excluding holidays, shall be deemed to have forfeited all rights of ownership and the animal becomes the property of Calvert County.
C. 
Animals that become the property of Calvert County shall remain impounded for an additional two business days, excluding holidays, during which time any person may obtain ownership by paying an adoption fee.
D. 
Impounded animals not redeemed, adopted or rescued may be destroyed in the most humane manner possible.
A. 
The owner or his/her duly authorized representative may redeem his/her impounded animal from the sheltering facility upon authorization from the Animal Control Division to release the animal:
(1) 
(a) 
If a hearing was required, upon receipt of the authorization to release the animal issued at or subsequent to the hearing.
(b) 
Upon confirmation that all required conditions of the hearing have been satisfied.
(c) 
Upon receipt of any fines, fees, or expenses required to be satisfied by the owner.
(2) 
The sheltering facility may release the animal upon authorization from the Animal Control Division and:
(a) 
Satisfactory evidence of:
[1] 
Proof of ownership.
[2] 
A current County license for dogs and cats.
[3] 
Up-to-date rabies vaccinations for dogs, cats and ferrets.
(b) 
Tendering a fee in the amount charged by the sheltering facility, including any veterinarian expenses incurred.