<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<baltimore-city-law heading="§ 55-8 Powers and duties.">
  <section prefix="§" num="55-8" heading="Powers and duties.">
    <para num="(a)" heading="In general.">The Mayor’s Anti-Animal Abuse Advisory Commission may undertake the activities described in this section.</para>
    <para num="(b)" heading="Research and advise.">The Advisory Commission may research best practices in the following areas and provide recommendations to City agencies on each topic:<para num="(1)">ways to eradicate animal abuse in the City of Baltimore, including dogfighting;</para>
      <para num="(2)">methods of increasing awareness of animal cruelty laws;</para>
      <para num="(3)">legislation to protect animals and prosecute abusers;</para>
      <para num="(4)">training techniques for law enforcement officials on how to handle animal cruelty cases humanely and to ensure acquisition of the best evidence to prosecute abusers;</para>
      <para num="(5)">steps to foster improved responses to incidents of animal cruelty; and</para>
      <para num="(6)">methods to improve training for animal control officers for their protection as well as the animals.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(c)" heading="Monitor programs.">The Advisory Commission may:<para num="(1)">review and monitor the successes and lessons learned in implementing its recommendations;</para>
      <para num="(2)">make recommendations for improving the effectiveness of programs targeting animal abuse; and</para>
      <para num="(3)">review and monitor ongoing animal cruelty calls and provide recommendations to City agencies for  effective and timely investigation by and coordination among City agencies.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(d)" heading="Evaluate policies and programs.">The Advisory Commission may review and evaluate the impact of existing and proposed policies, programs, and legislation affecting the effort to eradicate animal abuse in Baltimore.</para>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 10-369</annotation>
    <annotation type="Prior Codifications">Article 1, § 55-10</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" />
  </section>
</baltimore-city-law>
