Local Government - Animal Control - Dogs At Large (Dog Leash Laws)
Sponsor: Kim Ross (District 8)Committee: JudiciarySubject: Local Government - GenerallyStatus: Hearing 3/12 at 1:30 p.m. (as of Sep 4, 2026)
What this bill does
Official synopsis
Requiring each county and municipality to adopt certain laws or ordinances prohibiting a dog from being at large; providing the Act may not be construed to preempt a local government from enacting and enforcing more stringent measures; and stating it is the intent of the General Assembly that the Act be applied and interpreted to recognize the definition of the term 'running at large' as used by the Appellate Court of Maryland in Blitzer v. Breski, 259 Md. App. 257 (2023).
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Testimony (9)
MGA witness listFAV 5FavorableUNF 4Unfavorable
| Position | Witness | Organization | Testimony |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAV | Baucum Colbert, Jordan | M-NCPPC - Senior Government Analyst | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Robinson, Lakeisha | M-NCPPC, Montgomery Park Police | Oral |
| FAV | Delegate Ross, Delegate Rosslegislator | Individual | Oral |
| FAV | Tibbals, Trudy | Individual | Position only |
| FAV | Zirkin, Bobby | Individual | Oral |
| UNF | Price, Suzanne | Concerned Citizen | Position only |
| UNF | Fleckenstein, Charlotte | Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) | Oral + Written (PDF) |
| UNF | Jorch, Bill | Maryland Municipal League | Written (PDF) |
| UNF | Meyerovich, Mark | Individual | Position only |