Bowie, MD Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Section 4-1 defines VICIOUS ANIMAL by behavior, not breed: any dog or other animal that, without provocation, has attacked, bitten or injured a human being, another animal, or livestock, or that has a known propensity to attack or bite people or animals. Section 4-15A directs animal control officers to investigate vicious-animal complaints and report them in writing to the Commission; an officer can impound the animal before a hearing if the owner appears unable to restrain it. Subsection B gives the owner notice of a right to a preliminary hearing within 48 hours of impoundment, scheduled within 72 hours of the owner's written request and conducted under § 3-136 of the Prince George's County Code.

Any person can file an affidavit of complaint identifying and describing the animal (Subsection C), and if the Commission finds the animal vicious, Subsection D lets it order confinement and abatement under § 4-16, or order the owner to surrender the animal to the City for destruction. Section 4-16A then requires a vicious animal to be confined within a building or secure enclosure and never removed from it unless securely restrained; Subsection B bars it from any street or public place unless securely restrained, humanely muzzled if appropriate, and in the charge of a responsible person.

An unconfined vicious animal is declared a public nuisance under Subsection C, with the owner strictly liable for the violation and for any resulting damage.