The purpose of this chapter is to provide regulations concerning
animals kept within the Town of Cottage City so that such animals
will not be or become a public nuisance.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
ANIMAL AT LARGE
An animal not under restraint and off the premises of the
owner.
ANIMAL EXPOSED TO RABIES
An animal will be deemed to have been exposed to rabies if
it has been bitten by or has associated with any animal determined
by the county health officer or the director of the Maryland Livestock
Sanitary Service to be infected with rabies.
ANIMALS UNDER RESTRAINT
An animal secured by a leash or lead, and under control of
a responsible person or confined within a vehicle or within the real
property limits of its owner.
ATTACK DOG
A dog which is trained to attack with or without provocation.
DOMESTICATED ANIMALS
Including, but not necessarily limited to, cats (genus Felix
Domestica), cows, dogs, fowl, horses, sheep, goats, swine, rabbits,
guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, chinchillas, mice, rats, fish, birds
and domesticated wild animals.
GUARD OR SENTRY DOG
A dog which will detect and warn its handler that an intruder
is present in or near an area that is being secured.
OWNER
Any person owning, keeping, harboring or acting as custodian
of a domesticated animal.
PET
A domesticated animal kept for pleasure rather than utility.
Pets include, but are not limited to, birds, cats, dogs, fish, hamsters,
mice, reptiles, domesticated wild animals and other animals associated
with human environment.
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any fierce, dangerous
or vicious animal, including dogs which have a history of unlawful
biting of a human, not to confine such animal within a building or
secure enclosure. Such animal shall not be taken out of such building
or secure enclosure unless securely muzzled.
It shall be unlawful for any person to treat any animal in a
cruel manner, either willfully or by neglect. It shall also be unlawful
for any person to incite animals to fight, or to tease or harass animals.
It shall be unlawful for any person to raise or maintain or
keep domestic fowl (including pigeons), bees and beehives, livestock
or wild animals of any kind within the Town of Cottage City. For the
purpose of this section, "livestock" shall include, but is not limited
to, cows, sheep, goats, swine, mules, donkeys, horses or ponies.
It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the breeding,
hospitalizing and boarding of household pets or other animals on a
commercial basis within the Town of Cottage City.
It shall be unlawful for any person to own or harbor a dog or
cat over the age of four months without a valid rabies vaccination.
It shall be unlawful for a person owning, keeping or having
custody of an animal, except a seeing eye dog, to allow or permit
solid waste of such animal to remain on the property of any other
person without the consent of the owner or occupant thereof; on the
property of the owner in such manner as to become offensive or a hazard
to health; or on sidewalks, streets, immediately adjoining areas to
sidewalks and streets, and active play areas or other parks.
Every female animal, while in heat, shall be kept confined in
a building or secure enclosure by the owner in such manner that she
will not be in contact (except for intentional breeding purposes)
with a male member of the same species nor create a nuisance by attracting
other animals.
Whenever the Commission of the Town of Cottage City shall determine
that the health and safety of the people of the Town are endangered
by reason of an animal with rabies having been or being in said Town,
the Commission shall forthwith issue a proclamation informing the
people of the Town that their health and safety are endangered by
reason of rabies. For 30 days after issuance of the proclamation,
it shall be the duty of the police officers of the Town of Cottage
City and any person authorized by the Commissioners to handle or dispose
of any animal running at large in such a manner as the officer or
authorized person may deem proper.
Violation of this chapter is declared to be a municipal infraction.
The penalty for violation shall be $50 for each initial offense and
$100 for each repeat offense.