(A) The civil and criminal provisions of this chapter shall be enforced by those persons or agencies designated by the County Commissioners. It shall be a violation of this chapter to interfere with an Animal Control Officer in the performance of his or her duties.
(B) In the discretion of an Animal Control Officer or law enforcement officer, a notice of violation may be issued to any person in violation of this chapter, any rules and regulations adopted pursuant hereto, or of the Md. Code, Criminal Law Article or any other state law regarding the control or treatment of animals which local Animal Control Officers are authorized to enforce. Such notice shall impose upon the owner a fine as indicated by the Animal Control Officer or law enforcement officer, which may, at the discretion of the person receiving such notice, be paid to any agency designated by the Animal Care and Control Authority within 72 hours in full satisfaction of the violation. In the event that such fine is not paid within the time prescribed, a criminal charging document shall be initiated before a District Court Commissioner, and upon conviction of a violation of this chapter, or any rules and regulations adopted pursuant hereto, the defendant shall be punished as provided in § 90.99. The fine assessed by the Animal Control Officer, as herein provided, may be increased or decreased by the Court upon conviction as aforesaid.
(C) The Animal Care and Control Authority, in addition to and not in substitution for any of the provisions of this chapter, may apply to the court having jurisdiction for a mandatory injunction when the impoundment, confinement, or destruction of an animal is necessary to protect public safety or if an animal is in need of immediate medical care and the owner is either uncooperative or unable to be contacted in a timely fashion.
(2004 Code, § 81-16) (Ord. 26, passed 1-21-1980; Ord. 02-23, passed 11-26-2002; Ord. 06-15, passed 11-28-2006) Penalty, see § 90.99