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Howard County Animal Control Laws

animalcontrolAll animal owners in Columbia are subject to the Howard County Animal Control laws. Here are a few summarized requirements under Section 17.300 of the Howard County Animal Control Law:

  • A pet must be on a leash and under control when not on an owner’s property.
  • Owners are responsible for removing pet defecation when off their own property.
  • Owners must remove an accumulation of pet defecation from their property to prevent annoying odors and rodent infestation (Animal feces is a food source for rats).
  • Owners are responsible for preventing their dogs from barking to the extent that it disturbs neighbors.

Residents who have concerns about animal behavior or the care and control of animals are urged to call Animal Control for more information and enforcement of the regulations: 410-313-2780.

Comments

  1. Elizabeth Pajak says

    July 18, 2019 at 4:46 PM

    Are cats allowed to roam in Howard County.

    Reply
    • harperschoice says

      July 22, 2019 at 12:25 PM

      Cats and dogs must be vaccinated and leashed in Howard County.

      That said, there are “community” cats that are fed, fixed, vaccinated and released by community members to help control the feral cat population. Wherever people reside, there will be folks who, for one reason or another, will “dump” cats and kittens to fend for themselves. Community members often step up to get the animals fixed and vaccinated to prevent disease and unwanted pregnancies which can explode the cat population very quickly, leading to fights and unwanted behaviors like howling, spraying, aggression, and diseases like rabies and feline leukemia, etc. The community members who do these activities are often willing to work with neighbors if there are complaints to try and mitigate the concerns. Cats who are cared for in this manner also will keep the feral cat population down through territorial control.

      If you would like to discuss this, feel free to contact HCCA’s covenant advisor, Debbie Nix, at 410-730-0770 or covenants@harperschoice.org. Of course, you are free to call animal control who will try to get the cats adopted out, however that is not always possible and cats do get euthanized.

      Reply
      • Tracey L Miller says

        October 16, 2020 at 12:42 PM

        I understand there is a new law being proposed that rescues must obtain a licence to operate and all cats (including community cats), must be contained behind fencing or they will not be able to obtain a licence and will be subject to hefty penalties if the rescue adopts out cats without a licence. How do you expect rescues to comply with this ridiculous modification to leash laws?

        Reply
        • harperschoice says

          October 16, 2020 at 1:48 PM

          Animal control is a function of county government and is enforced under the HoCo Police Department. The Harper’s Choice Community Association has nothing to do with either the passage of animal control laws or how the county police enforces those laws.

          Reply
  2. Gary Cullen says

    July 25, 2019 at 6:02 AM

    My neighbor walks his Miniature Collie every morning at 5:30am. The dog is conditioned to bark 3 barks continuously and constantly as loud as possible at nothing during the walk. This has been a daily routine for over 6 months. It wakes me up and disturbs my sleep.
    We both live in The Elms at Falls Run apartments in Ellicott City, Md. Howard County.
    Does your jurisdiction have authority here?
    Do I have a legal remedy?
    Is the dog owner violating a law?

    Reply
    • harperschoice says

      August 7, 2019 at 10:30 AM

      Contact HoCo Animal Control at 410-313-2780

      Reply
  3. Viviane says

    September 9, 2019 at 3:19 PM

    Are Pitbulls allowed in this county?

    Reply
    • harperschoice says

      September 23, 2019 at 10:50 AM

      Please contact HoCo Animal Control at 410-313-2780.

      Reply
  4. Mari says

    October 10, 2019 at 9:18 PM

    I’m seeing several people walking dogs without leashes on the pathways. This makes me very uncomfortable as my leashed dog is very afraid of bigger dogs. What can be done to get dog owners to abide by the leash laws?

    Reply
    • harperschoice says

      October 11, 2019 at 12:14 PM

      Call the Howard County Police non-emergency number: 410-313-2200

      Reply
      • Brittany Williams says

        April 7, 2020 at 10:22 AM

        does hoco non-emergency number have a text line?

        Reply
        • harperschoice says

          April 7, 2020 at 1:26 PM

          Here’s the link to HoCo Police website. There are email options, but I don’t see anything about texting.

          https://www.howardcountymd.gov/Departments/Police/MM-Contact-Us

          Reply
  5. Lucy says

    October 16, 2019 at 3:40 PM

    How many dogs can I have in my house?

    Reply
    • harperschoice says

      October 17, 2019 at 4:16 PM

      Please contact HoCo Animal Control at 410-313-2780.

      Reply
  6. TeeBeeCee says

    October 29, 2019 at 12:02 PM

    Are dogs allowed to be chained outside?

    Reply
    • harperschoice says

      November 1, 2019 at 9:43 AM

      Please contact HoCo Animal Control at 410-313-2780.

      Reply
  7. Kai Chin says

    January 15, 2020 at 12:23 PM

    Please tell me what is the fine for not picking up pet “poops.” Also how do you prevent and treat deer “poop” all over our yards near Columbia?

    Reply
    • harperschoice says

      January 15, 2020 at 3:00 PM

      Please contact HoCo Animal Control at 410-313-2780.

      Reply
  8. Anthony Pitts says

    February 6, 2020 at 5:24 AM

    Is a dog that is trained and under the control/restraint of an electronic collar (collar that has a vibration and stim/shock) in proper accordance with the leash law?

    Reply
    • harperschoice says

      February 6, 2020 at 8:45 AM

      Please contact HoCo Animal Control at 410-313-2780.

      Reply
  9. Arati Swadi says

    June 1, 2020 at 5:59 PM

    Constant barking by neighbors dog,: our neighbor has 2 pit bulls, they are both left in the backyard all day, one of the pit bulls barks all day. We have not seen the owners trying to stop the dog from barking , it has caused a lot annoyance and headache. With work from home situation it has even caused work being impacted as only the dog barking is heard on the calls. In the past we have tried telling the neighbors but does not seem to have any effect. How should we escalate?

    Reply
    • harperschoice says

      June 2, 2020 at 10:11 AM

      Please contact HoCo Animal Control at 410-313-2780.

      Reply
  10. JO says

    August 22, 2020 at 9:47 PM

    I have a rude neighbor who lets his dog pee on my expensive Holly Bush. I was standing outside and I pleaded with him not to let dog pee on my plant. He was extremely mean and harassing. He said Lady there are other things for you to worry about. What if I let my dog shit on your lawn?
    This person lives in the next Townhouse Community, but walks his dog in my community. The only way I could find out his address is if I follow him home.
    He was so rude and harassing that it brought me to tears.
    What can I do? What are my rights?

    Reply
    • harperschoice says

      August 24, 2020 at 8:45 AM

      Please contact HoCo Animal Control at 410-313-2780.

      Reply
  11. Don says

    February 11, 2021 at 11:39 AM

    I live near the path off of South Entrance road and there is tons of dog poop along the sidewalk. I spotted a person who did not pick up after her dog and captured her on video and in picture. What do I do now?

    Reply
    • harperschoice says

      February 11, 2021 at 11:50 AM

      Contact HoCo Animal Control at 410-313-2780.

      Reply
  12. Annoyed neighbor says

    May 24, 2022 at 9:59 AM

    I live in Apartment building in Columbia, my below neighbor has 2 dogs and he lets his dogs poop and pee on his balcony and he doesnt clean up. There is a pile of smelly poop on his balcony. Eventhough, this is against lease agreement, Management hasnt done any action against the neighbor in almost 10 months. Dogs are in balcony every hour and keep barking for solid 10 minutes starting at 6.30 am.
    Is there anything i can do considering management office has done nothing?

    Reply
    • harperschoice says

      May 24, 2022 at 10:04 AM

      Contact HoCo Animal Control at 410-313-2780.

      Reply
  13. Lubna Khan says

    October 24, 2022 at 10:24 PM

    I have pet daycare and a kennel across the state with 35 dogs barking all day long on weekends and holidays 7 am to 7 pm nothing has been done y animal control, I was told the law has been suspended and awaiting new regulations

    Reply
    • harperschoice says

      October 25, 2022 at 10:07 AM

      If you can’t get anywhere with animal control and laws are being broken, contact your county council representative and see if he/she can intervene on your behalf.

      Reply

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