People Behavior, Not Pit Bulls, Now Focus Of New Law
Five Things You Should Know About The End Of the Pit Bull Law
The five top highlights of the new Prince George's County dog laws, passed Nov. 18, are:
1. Lifting the Pit Bull Ban: The 27-year ban on owning pit bull-type dogs in the county has been repealed.
2. Focus on Behavior, Not Breed: The legislation shifts the focus to a dog's behavior rather than its breed when classifying it as dangerous.
3. Expanded Definition of "Dangerous Dog": The definition and requirements for classifying a dog as dangerous across all breeds have been expanded.
A "Dangerous animal" now includes any animal that:
*Without provocation, inflicts injury on a human on public or private property.
*Kills a domesticated animal or human.
*Has been previously found to be potentially dangerous due to an injury inflicted on a human or animal, and the owner received notice, and the animal again aggressively bites, attacks, or endangers public safety.
A "Potentially dangerous animal" can be one that:
*Unprovoked, inflicts a bite, scratch, or injury on a domestic animal.
*Demonstrates the potential to inflict bites or injury by chasing or approaching a person in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack.
*Has a known propensity to attack unprovoked, cause injury, or threaten the safety of humans or animals.
*Is at large and has been impounded two or more times within any 12-month period.
*Is not under restraint.
4. Increased Civil Penalties: The new law significantly raises the civil penalties for irresponsible dog owners:
$500 for the first violation
$1,000 for the second violation
$2,500 for each subsequent violation.
5. Strengthened Leash-Law Requirements: The requirements for the county's leash law have been made stricter:
*All dogs must be restrained by a leash of a maximum of 10 feet
*Electronic collars and retractable leashes no longer qualify as valid forms of restraint
*Shared/common spaces (apartment or HOA) are not considered a pet owner’s premises [for the dog to not be on a leash]
To learn more details about Council Bill 097-2025, click here.
