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P.O. Box 1015 Waldorf, MD 20604-1015
Phone: 301 645-8181

"Pets are an important part of our community. Please help us keep the County a safe, clean and friendly place to live through responsible, humane pet ownership."

You should exercise reasonable care and take all necessary steps and precautions to protect other people, property, and animals from injuries or damage which might result from the animal's behavior, regardless of whether the behavior is motivated by playfulness, fear, sickness, or ferocity.

In addition, if a minor is the custodian of an animal, the parent or guardian is still responsible for ensuring compliance with regulations and state codes.

Don't forget that animals may not be sold or given to a minor without the written consent of the parent or legal guardian.

The Animal Control Board consists of nine separate members appointed by the County Commissioners. These members include a representative from the Charles County Health Department, Charles County Office of the Sheriff, Charles County Humane Society, a veterinarian licensed to practice in Charles County, and five other Charles County citizens. The Board hears and decides, upon receipt of a written complaint, whether an animal, or facility regulated by Charles County Animal Regulations, constitutes a public nuisance.

State law requires that all cats and dogs four months old or older be immunized with an anti-rabies vaccine administered by a licensed veterinarian.

The veterinarian will issue you a certificate of immunization. DO NOT LOOSE THIS CERTIFICATE! You should keep it in a safe place and be able to show it to an Animal Control Officer, Health Officer, or any other law enforcement officer upon request.

Reduced-cost rabies clinics are held periodically throughout the County. Call Charles County Animal Control Services at (301) 645-0631 for more information, or call the Humane Society of Charles County at (301) 645-8140 to find out when their next rabies clinic will be held (or just click on the underlined text to go to the "What's New" with the information).

Dogs four months or older must be licensed. The license is good for a year, therefore, you need to renew the license annually.

You can purchase a license through the Charles County treasurer's Office, Charles County Animal Control, the Charles County Humane Society, and other participating locations. The cost is $10 for an unaltered male or female, or $2 for a neutered male or spayed female.

If you own a certified Seeing Eye Dog, Hearing Dog, governmental police dog, or other certified dog that is trained to assist the physically handicapped, you are not required to pay the annual fee but you still need to license your dog ever year.

Dogs that are kept at shelters are exempt from licensing until they are adopted or returned to their owner.

You must provide your animal with sufficient, wholesome and nutritious food; clean, cool water in sufficient quantities; proper air, shelter, space, and protection from the weather; veterinary care, when needed, to prevent suffering; and humane care and treatment at all times.

Remember, when transporting your animal in vehicle, the animal must be safely confined. Your animal is not allowed to ride in an unenclosed area of your vehicle unless he/she is confined by a securely affixed, well ventilated cage, or other device designated to safely prevent the animal from falling or jumping from your vehicle.

NO! It is against the law for any person, partnership or corporation to allow their animal to be at large. At large means allowing any animal )dog, cat, or other) to be away from its owner's property uncontrolled.

This law does not apply to a dog undergoing supervised obedience training or while actually engaged in the sport of hunting while in an authorized area while supervised by a competent person.

It is against the law to allow your domestic animal to defecate on public property, or private property that does not belong to the pet's owner. Any waste must be removed and disposed of in a proper and sanitary manner.

To avoid having your animal considered a public nuisance, do not let it:

• roam around
• damage the property of anyone other than its owner
• molest or intimidate pedestrians or passerby
• chase vehicles
• bark or make other harsh or excessive noise so as to disturb the quiet, comfort, or repose of members of the community
• create an unreasonable annoyance or discomfort, by odor or any other means, to neighbors or others in close proximity to the premises where the animal is kept
• defecate on public property, and/or defecate or urinate on private property (other than that of the owner); or
• a menace to the health, welfare, or safety of the public as determined by the Animal Control Board after notice to the owner and a hearing.

If your animal is in violation of any of the Charles County Animal Regulations or the Annotated Code of Maryland, it can be immediately and humanely impounded and housed at the animal shelter or its designated agent. In addition to or in lieu of impounding your animal, an Animal Control Officer may issue you a notice of violation.

If your animal is impounded, it will be kept for no less than three working days unless the animal is contagiously ill or severely injured.

When you reclaim your animal, you will have to pay fees established by the sheltering authority. You will also have to show proof of ownership, including a current rabies vaccination and County license.

If your animal is impounded three times within a twelve month period it shall remain in the shelter until you appear before the Animal Control Board's next scheduled hearing. The Board will determine the necessary means to resolve the violations and levy any applicable fees.

If your animal is impounded for more than three days and not reclaimed, it will be considered abandoned. your animal will then become the property of the County and placed for adoption or euthanized. All adopted animals must be sterilized/neutered. Animals considered by the sheltering authority to be unhealthy, dangerous, or otherwise unsafe will not be placed for adoption.

Make sure your pet is taken care of! Not only is it important for your pet's well being, but for the well being of people and animals around them as well. The following fines can be levied if your responsibilities are neglected:

• Cruelty $50
• Rabies prevention

  - Failure to vaccinate:  $50
  - Failure to quarantine: $50
  

• Licensing-Failure to obtain:

  - Individual:  $35
  - Commercial Animal Establishment:  $100
  

• Animal care (per offense. Not to exceed $100 per animal) $25
• Animal riding in an open vehicle $35
• Animal at large $35
• Female in season, improperly confined $35
• Allowing an animal to urinate/defecate on private property $35
• Allowing an animal to defecate on public property $35
• Public Nuisance $50-$100
• Dangerous or Vicious $50-$100

Remember, owning an animal is a privilege that carries responsibilities. With proper care and affection, pet ownership can be a very rewarding experience!