County Animal Control Laws

Summary of Selected County Animal Control Laws

For further information, or to report an animal bite or a violation of animal control laws, call the Division of Animal Control and Humane Treatment at 301-279-1823 or 301-279-1066. For after hours emergencies, call 301-279-1694.

• Vaccination and licensing requirements (Montgomery County Code, Sec. 5-203 (a)(9))

          All dogs and cats 4 months of age or older must have a current rabies vaccination and a County license. The rabies tag provided by your veterinarian is NOT a County license -- the license must be purchased separately.

Penalty for violation of vaccination laws - $500

Penalty for violation of licensing laws - $100

• Animals at large (Montgomery County Code, Sec. 5-203 (a)(1))

          An animal is at large if it is outside of the premises of its owner and not leashed or otherwise restrained to prevent unwanted contact with a person or another animal. This law applies only to dogs and unaltered cats.

Penalty for violation - $100

• Animal Defecation ("Pooper Scooper" law) (Montgomery County Code, Sec. 5-203(a)(2))

          An owner must not allow an animal to damage or defecate on property outside of the owner's property. An animal may defecate on public property or the common are of property in which the owner shares an interest if the owner immediately removes and disposes of the feces by a sanitary method approved by the Director. Feces may be picked up in a plastic bag. If this bag is placed inside another plastic bag, it may be put out for disposal in your normal household trash.

Penalty for violation - $100

• Animal Trespass (Montgomery County Code, Sec. 5-203(a)(3))

          An owner must not allow an animal to enter private property without the property owner's permission.

Penalty for violation - $100

• Animal Noise (Montgomery County Code, Sec. 5-203(a)(6))

          An owner must not allow an animal to cause noise that is loud enough and persistent enough to disturb another person's quiet enjoyment.

Penalty for violation - $100