Howard County, MD Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Breed bans
- None in Howard County
- State law
- Md. Courts §3-1901
- Regulation basis
- Behavior, not breed
- Dangerous-dog code
- County Code Sec. 17.303
- Pit bulls
- Legal countywide
Summary
Howard County does not ban any dog breed. Maryland repealed its pit-bull-specific liability rule in 2014, and dog liability is now applied "without regard to the breed or heritage of the dog." County rules target a dog's behavior, not its breed.
In an action against a person other than an owner of a dog for damages for personal injury or death caused by the dog, the common law of liability relating to attacks by dogs against humans that existed on April 1, 2012, is retained as to the person without regard to the breed or heritage of the dog.
Full Breakdown
There is no breed-specific ban in Howard County. After the 2012 Tracey v. Solesky decision singled out pit bulls, the Maryland General Assembly passed a 2014 law (codified at Courts & Judicial Proceedings §3-1901) that expressly restored breed-neutral dog-liability standards. Howard County's animal control law regulates dogs by conduct, declaring a dog "potentially dangerous" or "dangerous" (County Code Sec. 17.303) based on bites and attacks, not breed. Owners of a declared dangerous dog face confinement, muzzling and other restrictions imposed by the Animal Control Administrator. No pit-bull or other breed is prohibited countywide, including in Columbia and Ellicott City.
Violations & Fines
Failing to follow confinement and control restrictions on a declared dangerous or potentially dangerous dog is enforced by Howard County Animal Control with citations, impoundment, and possible court action; owners remain civilly liable for injuries the dog causes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are pit bulls banned in Howard County?
How is a dog declared dangerous here?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Howard County
How Howard County compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Compare Howard County to another location·View the Maryland animal ordinances overview
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