[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of Federalsburg 11-7-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-07.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Ch. 17, Animals, adopted 10-3-1994 by Ord. No. 94-204.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
AT LARGE
An animal shall be deemed at large under one or more of the following circumstances:
A. 
Whenever the animal is not on the owner's premises or property unaccompanied by the owner or other responsible person capable of physically restraining the animal and/or controlling its behavior.
B. 
Whenever the animal is not under direct control by the owner or other responsible person by means of a leash or personal presence sufficient to control the animal's conduct.
FARM ANIMAL
For the purpose of this chapter, shall include, but not be limited to: cows, horses, mules, donkeys, goats, sheep, hogs, llamas, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese and pigeons, or similar fowl or hooved animals.
KEEPING or HARBORING
The act of feeding or sheltering an animal on the physical premises by the owner or occupant of those premises.
OWNER
Any person having a right of property in an animal, and any person who keeps or harbors an animal, has it in his care, acts as a custodian, or otherwise permits that animal to remain on or about any premises owned, occupied or controlled by him.
PUBLIC NUISANCE
Any animal found repeatedly to be disturbing the public peace, damaging property, molesting, or showing intent to molest passersby, chasing vehicles, or acting in any manner which is deemed to be doing damage to public or private property or to the public health and safety, or which is known to have bitten two or more persons, which shall have been determined by any authorized health official to be a detriment to public health or safety, or depositing excretory matter on property other than that of the owner. The owner of any such animal may be charged with maintaining a public nuisance.
VICIOUS ANIMAL
Any animal that constitutes a physical threat to human beings or other animals by virtue of its conduct, behavior, or specialized training, except animals belonging to a government agency and acting in the official performance of authorized duty or duties.
A. 
Licensing of any and all animals within the Town of Federalsburg shall be subject to the laws and requirements of Caroline County as adopted by the County Commissioners of Caroline County and as amended from time to time.
B. 
Vaccination of animals within the Town of Federalsburg against rabies and any other communicable diseases shall be required by the applicable laws of Caroline County as amended from time to time.
It shall be unlawful to keep and maintain within the corporate limits of the Town any animals generally considered to be farm animals, except as provided in § 245-119.3 of the Federalsburg Zoning Ordinance.
A. 
No property owner shall allow any exotic animal described and regulated pursuant to Criminal Law Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, § 10-621, to be kept, possessed or maintained in any zoning district.
B. 
Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection A above, nothing set forth in this chapter shall prevent an animal from being treated, kept or maintained in a veterinarian clinic or an animal shelter or animal sanctuary where such use is authorized and permitted under the Zoning Ordinance.
All owners of any animal or animals shall exercise sufficient care and control of such animals to prevent those animals from being a public nuisance as defined in § 17-1.
It shall be unlawful for any owner or keeper of an animal to permit that animal to run at large as defined in § 17-1 within the corporate limits of the Town of Federalsburg.
Any vicious animal, or an animal which has demonstrated behavior which may be deemed vicious, must be confined to the physical premises or property of its owner or custodian, at all times, in a manner sufficient to prevent that animal from reaching persons who may have reason to lawfully enter upon those premises at any reasonable time. Such animal shall not be taken from that confinement on the premises unless muzzled or under sufficient control to prevent threats to public safety.
The Mayor and Council of Federalsburg through their agents, employees, and designees are hereby authorized and directed to administer and enforce this chapter within the municipal boundaries of the Town of Federalsburg.
A. 
Any person who willfully violates any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a municipal infraction, and upon conviction thereof by a court of competent jurisdiction shall be subject to the fines as set forth in Chapter 1, Article I.
B. 
Each and every day that such violation remains shall be deemed a separate offense.
C. 
Any and all court costs and/or costs of prosecution shall be paid by the violator upon conviction, in addition to any specified penalties described above.
If, at any time, it is deemed by a law enforcement officer or any other person authorized to enforce the provisions contained herein that one or more provisions of this chapter are in conflict with the animal control laws and regulations of Caroline County, Maryland, the more restrictive provisions shall apply.