Allegany County, MD Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Breed-specific ban
- None; based on individual dog behavior
- Vicious designation
- Written finding by Animal Control Personnel
- Confinement required
- Building or secure enclosure at all times
- Repeat-offender track
- Forfeiture possible under § 225-9.1
- Appeal path
- Circuit Court of Allegany County, 30 days
Summary
Allegany County has no breed ban; instead § 225-13 targets any individual dog that is fierce, dangerous or vicious, including one that has bitten a human, requiring confinement in a building or secure enclosure and a muzzle whenever it is taken outside, with Animal Control able to designate a dog "vicious" in writing.
VICIOUS ANIMAL Any animal that constitutes a physical threat to human beings, animals or livestock or any animal which, due to its disposition, has a propensity to cause injury or behaves in a manner which could reasonably cause injury to human beings, animals or livestock, regardless of whether or not such behavior is hostile, or any provocation, or any dog which has been designated and in writing by the ACP as being vicious. § 225- ... ... 13. Dangerous dogs. Every fierce, dangerous or vicious dog, including a dog that has bitten a human, shall be confined by the owner within a building or secure enclosure, and such animal shall not be taken out of such building or secure enclosure unless securely muzzled and under restraint.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 225's VICIOUS ANIMAL definition in § 225-1 covers any animal that constitutes a physical threat to people, animals or livestock, or that has a propensity to cause injury regardless of provocation, "or any dog which has been designated and in writing by the ACP as being vicious," giving Animal Control Personnel their own written-designation power independent of breed. Section 225-13, Dangerous dogs, then requires the owner of every fierce, dangerous or vicious dog, including one that has bitten a human, to confine it within a building or secure enclosure, and bars taking the dog outside that enclosure unless it is securely muzzled and under restraint.
A separate track exists for repeat offenders: § 225-1's PUBLIC NUISANCE ANIMAL definition catches any animal with two or more Chapter 225 violations in a twenty-four-month period, and § 225-9.1, added by Bill No. 4-24 effective October 6, 2024, lets the animal control shelter move to forfeit ownership of such an animal after written notice served personally or by registered mail, a hearing before an appointed hearing officer within 15 days of a request, and a right of appeal to the Circuit Court of Allegany County within 30 days of the final decision, with the shelter able to participate as a party in that appeal.
Violations & Fines
Violating § 225-13's confinement and muzzling rule is a civil infraction for the first, second and third offense under § 225-21B(5), but only where the incident involves no injury or attack on a human or another animal; the fine amount is set by the County Commissioners by regulation. An offense involving an actual bite or attack, or a fourth or later violation, escalates to the general Chapter 225 misdemeanor in § 225-21E: up to 30 days in jail, a $15 to $500 fine, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Allegany County ban specific dog breeds?
How does the county officially declare a dog "vicious"?
Can the county take away my dog if it's declared a public nuisance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Allegany County
How Allegany County compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Compare Allegany County to another location·View the Maryland animal ordinances overview
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