[Amended 6-6-2023 by Bill No. 2023-06]
A. 
It is unlawful to allow an animal to become a public nuisance, including to allow:
(1) 
An animal to be a danger to a person;
(2) 
An animal to disturb the peace and quiet of a neighborhood with excessive barking, whining, howling, crowing, chasing vehicles, attacking other domestic animals, or damaging property;
(3) 
An animal to repeatedly soil, defile, defecate, or commit another nuisance upon public property, recreation areas, or private property other than the owner's property;
(4) 
An animal to enter private property without the property owner's permission;
(5) 
A female dog or cat in heat outside of a building or other proper enclosure while not in the control or supervision of a person; or
(6) 
An animal to cause an unsanitary, dangerous, or offensive condition because of the size or number of animals in a single location or because a facility is not appropriate or properly maintained.
B. 
Any person may file a sworn complaint, containing a date, time, location, description of the animal, owner of the animal and a description of the alleged public nuisance caused by the animal, with an Animal Control Officer alleging a violation of Subsection A of this section within 30 days of the alleged public nuisance. The Animal Control Officer may issue a citation on the complaint without corroboration of the allegation.
C. 
An animal which has been found in violation of this section four times is deemed a nuisance and shall be required to reside inside of the owner's residence.
[Added 6-6-2023 by Bill No. 2023-06[1]]
A. 
An individual who finds and takes possession of a domestic animal, which is at-large, shall:
(1) 
Notify Wicomico County Animal Control or the Humane Society of Wicomico County within 24 hours of taking possession of the animal;
(2) 
Complete a report with Wicomico County Animal Control or the Humane Society of Wicomico County;
(3) 
Not remove the animal from Wicomico County unless authorized by Animal Control or the Humane Society of Wicomico County.
B. 
Any domestic animal found at large, which is not microchipped, shall be eligible for adoption after six business days of being reported.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former § 133-19, Adoption.
The County, the Animal Control Authority, and its officers and employees are immune from liability for accidents, diseases, injuries, or deaths to an animal while being impounded or boarded at the animal control facility or a facility designated by the Animal Control Authority to house the animal.