# Subtitle 7 – Attack Dogs; Dangerous and Vicious Animals

Current through 2026-07-17. Source: City of Balt., Md., Ord. 26-129. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.

## § 10-701 Attack dogs.

Balt., Md., Code § 10-701 (2026)

(a) In this section, “attack dog” means a dog that is trained to attack on command.

(b) Except as specified in subsection (b) of this section, no person may keep or train any attack dog in the City.

(c) This section does not apply to a dog owned by and working for law enforcement or other governmental agency.

*History: Ord. 99-548*

*History: Ord. 11-573*

## § 10-702 Dangerous animals.

Balt., Md., Code § 10-702 (2026)

(a) “Dangerous animal” means any animal that:

  (1) has bitten or attacked a human being or another animal without provocation;

  (2) exhibits aggressive or dangerous behavior and is not adequately confined or restrained;

  (3) is known or suspected to be an animal exposed to rabies and is not adequately confined or restrained; or

  (4) requires confinement or restraints to protect the health, safety, or welfare of the public.

(b) The Animal Hearing Panel must determine  if an animal is a dangerous animal in accordance with the hearing procedures of Subtitle 10 of this title.

(c) Except as otherwise ordered by the Animal Hearing Panel, every dangerous animal must be:

  (1) maintained in a building or secure enclosure on the premises of its owner or custodian; and

  (2) whenever outside of the building or enclosure:

    (i) securely caged;

    (ii) securely muzzled and leashed; or

    (iii) restrained by any other appropriate method required by the Panel.

(d) An owner or custodian of an animal found to be a dangerous animal must:

  (1) have the animal microchiped and altered at the owner’s or custodian’s expense;

  (2) display a “dangerous animal” sign,  visible to the public, on the property where the animal is kept;

  (3) if the animal is kept outside of the dwelling, install a perimeter fence on the property or a portion of the property;

  (4) notify the Office if the animal is loose, has bitten another domesticated animal or human being, or has violated any other requirements of this title;

  (5) notify the Office if the animal has died or is being relocated to another jurisdiction; and

  (6) before transferring ownership or custody of the dangerous animal to another:

    (i) notify the Office in writing of the name and address of the new owner or custodian; and

    (ii) notify the new owner or custodian of the animal’s dangerous behavior.

(e)

  (1) Animals determined dangerous by another jurisdiction are automatically considered dangerous in the City.

  (2) The owner or custodian must immediately notify the Office if any animal determined dangerous in another jurisdiction is transported into the City.

  (3) If another jurisdiction defines “dangerous animal” differently than as defined in this section or makes a determination using a term other than “dangerous”, the Animal Hearing Panel must determine if the criteria used in the other jurisdiction is appropriate for the animal to be considered dangerous in the City.

(f) This section does not apply to:

  (1) an animal show or zoological park licensed under this title and regulated by a Maryland or federal agency; or

  (2) a laboratory where scientific research is carried out under regulation of a Maryland or federal agency.

*History: Ord. 99-548*

*History: Ord. 07-632*

*History: Ord. 11-573*

## § 10-703 Vicious animals – Definition.

Balt., Md., Code § 10-703 (2026)

(a) In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

(b)

  (1) “Vicious animal” means any animal that:

    (i) has severely bitten or attacked a human being or another animal; or

    (ii) has been previously deemed dangerous, and subsequently bitten or attacked a human being or other animal so that the Health Commissioner determines that the animal should be immediately euthanized to protect the health, safety, or welfare of the public.

  (2) “Vicious animal” does not include an animal that has bitten or attacked if the injury, damage, was sustained by one who:

    (i) at the time was committing a willful trespass or other tort on the premises occupied by the owner or custodian of the animal;

    (ii) was tormenting, abusing, or assaulting the animal;

    (iii) in the past has been observed or reported to have tormented, abused, or assaulted the animal; or

    (iv) was committing or attempting to commit a crime.

  (3) “Vicious animal” does not include an animal that has bitten or attacked if the animal was:

    (i) protecting or defending itself, its young, or another animal;

    (ii) responding to pain or injury; or

    (iii) protecting or defending a human being within the immediate vicinity of the animal from physical attack or assault.

*History: Ord. 99-548*

*History: Ord. 00-073*

*History: Ord. 11-573*

## § 10-704 Vicious animals – Hearing.

Balt., Md., Code § 10-704 (2026)

The Animal Hearing Panel must determine if an animal is a vicious animal in accordance with the hearing procedures of Subtitle 10 of this title.

*History: Ord. 11-573*

## § 10-705 Vicious animals – At large.

Balt., Md., Code § 10-705 (2026)

If an animal enforcement officer, police officer, or humane officer finds an animal at large, and if the animal enforcement officer, police officer, or humane officer reasonably believes that the animal is a vicious animal and that the animal cannot be taken up or tranquilized and impounded, the animal enforcement officer, police officer, or humane officer may kill the animal.

*History: Ord. 99-548*

*History: Ord. 11-573*

## § 10-706 Vicious animals – Keeping prohibited.

Balt., Md., Code § 10-706 (2026)

(a) No person may keep in the City any animal that the Animal Hearing Panel determines to be a vicious animal.

(b) This subtitle does not apply to an animal owned by and working for a law enforcement or other governmental agency.

*History: Ord. 99-548*

*History: Ord. 07-632*

*History: Ord. 11-573*