Baltimore County has no ordinance named 'hoarding,' but Article 12's cruelty, care, and sanitation rules cover it. Owners must supply wholesome food and water, keep stables and outbuildings free of filth and stench, and may not cruelly treat or neglect animals. Overcrowding can trigger seizure.
Hoarding-type neglect is enforced through several Article 12 provisions: 12-3-101 requires good food and potable water in clean containers; 12-3-102 requires stables and outbuildings to be kept free of offensive filth and stench; and 12-3-103 prohibits cruelly treating, tormenting, overloading, or abusing any animal. Keeping more than three dogs or cats makes a person a 'fancier' needing kennel licensing and zoning compliance, so large numbers already face oversight. The Health Officer/Animal Services may impound neglected animals, and severe cases fall under Maryland's cruelty statute (Md. Criminal Law §10-604), a state crime. Cruelty penalties escalate at $250 per occurrence and per day.
Cruelty/neglect carries a $250 civil penalty per occurrence and $250 per day while conditions persist (12-1-110), plus misdemeanor prosecution; state cruelty (Crim. Law §10-604) adds criminal penalties and possible seizure.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Baltimore County's animal hoarding rules stack up against other locations.
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