# Sec. 3-132. Public nuisance conditions and animals; procedures; appeals

Codified through Bill No. CB-018-2026, adopted May 12, 2026, effective July 24, 2026. Source: Municode, Supplement 2026 Update 2. Editorial notes and legislative history omitted.

## Sec. 3-132. Public nuisance conditions and animals; procedures; appeals

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 3-132 (2026)

(a) It shall be the duty of every owner or custodian of an animal to take all necessary steps and precautions to protect other people, animals, and property from injury or damage resulting from such animal's behavior, including, but not limited to, chasing, biting, or otherwise jeopardizing the safety, health or welfare of the public.

(b) No owner or custodian of an animal or operator of any animal holding center shall fail to abate a nuisance caused by any animal owned by him or under his control nor shall any person fail to abate a public nuisance condition found to exist upon the premises owned or controlled by him, after having been notified by an Animal Control Officer or other law enforcement officer, in accordance with Section 3-115 herein, or after having been ordered to abate the nuisance by the Commission as provided herein.

(c) Any animal having been declared to be a public nuisance animal shall, when required by the Commission and upon demand by the Administrator, be delivered by his owner to the custody of the County. No owner of a public nuisance animal shall refuse to surrender such animal to the County. A public nuisance animal which has been impounded by the County may be redeemed by the owner only upon those conditions established by the Commission for that particular animal. In addition to any special conditions imposed by the Commission, the owner of a public nuisance animal shall comply with the provisions of Section 3-128 herein.

(d) Any animal found to be unredeemable shall become the property of Prince George's County and may be disposed of by adoption, euthanasia, or other disposition as may be advantageous to the County and to the animal. No animal may be destroyed or otherwise disposed of pending the outcome of any appeal from an order of the Commission pursuant to Section 3-111. The Administrator shall retain custody of the animal pending the appeal, and the expense of the care, feeding, and any necessary veterinary care for the animal shall be charged to, and be the obligation of, the owner of the animal, and shall be collected pursuant to the provisions of Section 3-106 herein.

(e) As an alternative, if any person shall fail to abate a public nuisance animal or public nuisance condition after the Commission has ordered him to do so, the Administrator or the Commission may refer the matter to the Office of Law for appropriate legal action. The Office of Law, without limitation, and in addition to and not in lieu of any other available remedies, may seek ex parte, temporary and permanent injunctive relief and other relief in a court of competent jurisdiction to abate any nuisance or to correct any condition whereby the actions of an animal, or the actions or inactions of its owner or custodian, cause or threaten any substantial and immediate danger to any person or property or to the public health and safety.