Anne Arundel County, MD Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcing agency
- Animal Control (the Department)
- Basis for designation
- conduct, not breed
- Appeal window
- 10 days to Commission
- First-offense fine
- $250, then $500
- Vicious animals
- may not be kept
Summary
Anne Arundel County has no breed-specific ban. Animal Control designates individual dogs potentially dangerous, dangerous, or vicious based on documented conduct under County Code § 12-4-402.
(b) Potentially dangerous. The Department may designate an animal as potentially dangerous if, after consideration of the animal's demeanor and prior history and any evidence of mitigating circumstances, the Department finds that the animal: (1) engaged in conduct that caused a minor or severe injury to a person or domesticated animal.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-93: County Code is current through May, 2026).
Full Breakdown
The County Code sets no breed criteria for dog restrictions. Animal Control (the Department) may designate an animal potentially dangerous, dangerous, or vicious only after reviewing its demeanor, prior history, and specific incidents, a bite, attack, or aggressive charge, under § 12-4-402. A written order under § 12-4-403 can require muzzling, confinement, a $300,000 bite-injury insurance policy, microchipping, or a posted warning sign. Vicious-designated animals may not be kept at all (§ 12-4-405) and face mandatory euthanasia (§ 12-4-404). Owners get 10 days to appeal to the Animal Control Commission.
Violations & Fines
Violating a dangerous-animal order draws a civil fine of $250 for a first offense and $500 for each later one (§ 12-4-1001); noncompliance can also mean impoundment, and keeping a vicious-designated animal is a separate prohibited act under § 12-4-405.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Anne Arundel County ban pit bulls or other breeds?
What happens if my dog is declared dangerous?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Anne Arundel County
How Anne Arundel County compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Compare Anne Arundel County to another location·View the Maryland animal ordinances overview
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