5-12-2026 2:12pm

County Fights

Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier to Sign Unanimously Passed Animal Welfare and Public Safety Legislation

TOWSON — Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier signed a package of legislation, passed unanimously by the Baltimore County Council, aimed at strengthening animal welfare protections, improving enforcement tools for Animal Services, and enhancing public safety protections.

The package follows calls from County Executive Klausmeier and animal advocates for stronger safeguards after recent incidents highlighted gaps in County law and enforcement authority.

WHO:

Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier
Members of the Baltimore County Council
Baltimore County Health Officer Dr. Lucy Wilson
Baltimore County Animal Services Bureau Director Dr. Rene Varela
Animal welfare advocates

WHAT:

Bill signing ceremony for animal welfare and public safety legislation

About the legislation:

Bill 29-26: Establishes clearer standards for animal care and defines additional conditions that constitute animal abuse or neglect. The bill also creates a “reckless owner” designation, barring those people from owning pets for a minimum of four years.

Bill 30-26: Strengthens the authority of Baltimore County Animal Services and the Animal Hearing Board to intervene in cases where animals are in danger. The bill authorizes Animal Services officers to seize animals that County health officials recommend be surrendered and allows those animals to be housed at the County shelter during the appeals process.

Bill 31-26: Changes County’s dangerous animal laws by creating a standardized bite scale and establishing a new “potentially dangerous animal” designation. It also increases penalties and clarifies requirements for owners of animals determined to pose a public safety threat.