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Harford County, MD
 
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Code
New Laws (15) Index
No owner of any dog shall permit it to be at large.
[Amended by Bill No. 15-011]
A. 
Dogs not wearing a current Harford County license tag found at large shall be taken to the Humane Society of the County or such other appropriate place as may be designated by the Department and confined in a humane manner for a period of not less than 96 hours, excluding Sundays and County holidays. Thereafter, the dogs become the property of the Humane Society and shall be disposed of by return to their owner, adoption or euthanasia.
B. 
Dogs wearing a current Harford County license tag and found at large shall be taken to the Humane Society of the County or such other appropriate place as may be designated by the Department and confined in a humane manner for a period of not less than 192 hours, excluding Sundays and holidays. The owner of the licensed dog shall be notified of the impoundment by the Sheriff by certified mail to the address of the owner indicated upon the license application. The notice shall be sent within 72 hours of the impoundment and shall give the owner 120 hours from the date of the notice in which to redeem the dog. Thereafter, the dog becomes the property of the Humane Society and shall be disposed of by return to its owner, adoption or euthanasia.
C. 
When dogs are found at large, such dogs may be returned to the owner, who shall also be served a violation notice.
A. 
The owner shall be entitled to resume possession of any impounded dog upon compliance with the license provisions of this chapter and the payment of the fees set forth in Chapter 157, § 157-24, of the Harford County Code, as amended.
B. 
The claimant shall establish satisfactory proof of ownership, which shall include the license receipt, affidavits of neighbors, a photograph or other appropriate identification.
[Amended by Bill Nos. 92-31; 15-011]
Any animal impounded under this Article may be reclaimed as herein provided upon payment to the County, by the owner, of the sum of $20. An additional care charge of $10 for each calendar day or portion thereof during which the animal was impounded shall be added to the impoundment fee.
A. 
The owner of any female dog in estrus, or as commonly known as "in heat," shall keep the dog confined in a closed building equipped with adequate flooring such as a tight wooden or concrete floor to prevent contact with another dog, excluding intentional breeding purposes.
B. 
When, in the judgment of the Sheriff, the Director of the Humane Society of Harford County, Inc., or their designees or a duly licensed veterinarian, an animal should be destroyed for humane reasons or because of its vicious and dangerous propensities, the animal may be destroyed immediately without regard to any restriction or holding period otherwise established herein.
[Amended by Bill No. 15-011]
[Amended by Bill Nos. 13-11; 15-011]
It is unlawful for any person to keep or maintain any animal in such a manner as to cause or permit the animal to be a public nuisance. An animal constitutes a public nuisance if it (1) damages the property of anyone other than its owner; (2) makes an excessive harsh noise so as to disturb the peace, quiet or comfort of the neighborhood; or (3) is vicious or dangerous. Upon the sworn complaint of any person before the District Court of Maryland for Harford County alleging that an animal constitutes a public nuisance in any neighborhood in any area of the County, a summons shall be issued to the owner or keeper of such animal to appear before the District Court. Upon proof that the animal constitutes a public nuisance, the owner shall abate the nuisance within the time specified by the court and in no event more than 30 days after appearing before the court. Should the owner fail to abate the nuisance, the owner or keeper shall be required to surrender the offending animal to the Harford County Humane Society or any other non-profit shelter or rescue organization, unless he/she removes the animal permanently from the neighborhood. If the owner or keeper is required to surrender the animal and he/she refuses or fails to do so, it is the duty of the Sheriff or other appropriate law enforcement authority of the County to seize the animal. For purposes of this section, the definition of "animal" shall include, but not be restricted to, dogs, cats, reptiles, and fowl. This definition shall not include livestock (as defined in § 267-4 of the Harford County Code, as amended) on agriculturally assessed property.
[Amended by Bill No. 15-011]
When any dog or other animal having rabies or suspected of having rabies has attacked a person, such fact shall be immediately reported to the County Health Department, and the animal shall not be destroyed, but shall be confined as ordered by the County Health Officer. The owner of the animal may be offered the option of owner confinement, impoundment or euthanasia. If, in the opinion of the County Health Officer, the animal is not being properly impounded, the animal may be impounded and placed in suitable containment for the necessary period. All costs and expenses of such containment shall be charged to the owner of the animal. If the animal dies or has been destroyed during the containment period, the animal's remains shall be sent immediately to the County Health Department for rabies testing. The local Police Department and the Sheriff shall enforce, pursuant to memorandum of understanding, all orders of the County Health Officer and all other provisions of this section.
[Amended by Bill No. 15-011]
It shall be the duty of every physician, medical practitioner and hospital to report to the County Health Department the names and addresses of persons treated for bites inflicted by dogs or other animals, together with any information as to which will be helpful in rabies control, within 24 hours of each incident.
[Amended by Bill No. 15-011]
It shall be the duty of every veterinarian and every resident of the County to report to the County Health Department any animal considered to be rabid or to be a rabies suspect. It shall be the responsibility of the Health Department to forward this reported information to the Director of the Humane Society for those animals that the Humane Society has had involvement with as to the suspicion of rabies.
[Amended by Bill No. 15-011]
No person shall interfere with, hinder or molest any appropriately authorized law enforcement agency of the County in the performance of their duties or seek to release any animal in their custody, except as herein provided.
[Amended by Bill No. 15-011]
It shall be the duty of the Humane Society of Harford County, Inc., or its agent to keep or cause to be kept accurate and detailed records of impoundment and disposition of all animals coming under their control. These records shall be maintained at the Humane Society of Harford County, Inc.