Animal Ordinances in Bowie, MD (2026)
5 verified animal ordinances for Bowie, Maryland, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Bowie's own Animal Control chapter does not set numeric limits on backyard chickens or livestock; instead, § 4-4 sends every keeper straight to Prince George's County's zoning code. Anyone keeping poultry, cattle or livestock on land or in a building within the City of Bowie must comply with Subtitle 27, Zoning, of the Prince George's County Code, since the county, not the city, administers zoning here.
Bowie Poultry, Cattle and Livestock Zoning Rule
Some RestrictionsBowie City Code § 4-4
The use of any land or building in the City of Bowie, Maryland, for the purpose of keeping poultry, cattle or livestock must comply with the provisions of Subtitle 27, Zoning, of the Prince George's County Code, as the same is amended from time to time.
Dog Leash Laws
Bowie prohibits any owner from letting a dog or other animal run loose within the City: § 4-6 of the Animal Control chapter declares any animal at large a nuisance and holds the owner strictly liable, aside from a leash, cord or chain exception and the City's designated dog park. Animal control or police officers can pursue and impound a loose animal, and refusing to surrender it on demand is a separate infraction.
Bowie Dogs and Animals Running at Large Rule
Some RestrictionsBowie City Code § 4-6
No owner or custodian of any animal shall allow or fail to prevent such animal from being at large within the City. Any animal found at large or running at large is declared to be a nuisance and dangerous to the public health, safety and welfare. ... This section shall not apply to an animal under the control of its owner, custodian or an authorized agent of the owner by a leash, cord or chain ...
Breed Restrictions
Bowie has no breed-specific ban; instead § 4-1 defines a vicious animal by conduct, any dog or other animal that has attacked, bitten or injured a person, animal or livestock without provocation, or shown a known propensity to do so. Sections 4-15 and 4-16 let animal control impound a complained-against animal pending a hearing before the Prince George's County Commission, and require permanent secure confinement once an animal is found vicious.
Bowie Vicious Animal Declaration and Confinement Rule
Significant RestrictionsBowie City Code §§ 4-1, 4-15, 4-16
VICIOUS ANIMAL Includes any dog or other animal which, without provocation, has attacked, bitten or injured any human being, other animal, or livestock or which has a known propensity to attack or bite human beings or animals. ... It shall be the duty of animal control officers to receive and investigate complaints concerning vicious animals. ... A vicious animal shall be confined by the owner ...
Cat Rules
Bowie's Animal Control chapter names cats directly in three places: § 4-7 requires every cat over four months old to carry a current rabies vaccination, requires a female cat in heat to be confined so she cannot contact other animals, and requires every cat to be licensed under Prince George's County's Animal Control Ordinance. Cats also fall under the citywide running-at-large and nuisance rules that apply to any animal.
Bowie Cat Licensing, Rabies and Heat Rules
Some RestrictionsBowie City Code § 4-7
Animals in heat. The owner of any female dog, cat or other animal which is in estrus, a condition commonly known as "in heat," shall keep the animal confined within a building or secure enclosure or under restraint in such a manner that she will not be in contact with, except for intentional breeding purposes, or attract any dog, cat or animal. ... Rabies vaccination. The owner of any dog or ca...
Bird Protection
The City of Bowie has designated its entire corporate area a bird sanctuary under § 4-3 of the City Code. Inside that sanctuary it is unlawful to trap, hunt, shoot or otherwise kill any domestic or wild bird, subject only to a state-law carve-out for birds Maryland does not protect and a narrow exception for protecting human life, a bird's own life, or property.
Bowie Bird Sanctuary and Hunting Ban
Heavy RestrictionsBowie City Code § 4-3
Designation of City as a bird sanctuary. The area embraced within the corporate limits of the City is hereby designated as a bird sanctuary. ... Prohibited acts. It shall be unlawful to trap, hunt, shoot or otherwise kill, within the sanctuary established by Subsection A hereof, any domestic or wild bird, provided that nothing contained herein shall be construed to supersede or bestow protected...
Looking for Prince George's County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Bowie city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Prince George's County →