General Ownership & Control
Leash & Muzzle Rules
- Maryland does not have a statewide leash law, but most counties and municipalities have their own leash and control ordinances.
- Baltimore City Code §10-101: Dogs must be leashed and under control in public spaces.
- Montgomery County and Prince George’s County have similar leash laws — dogs must be on a leash not exceeding 6 feet at all times when off private property.
- Muzzles are not required unless a dog has been officially deemed “dangerous” or “vicious” under the Maryland Dangerous Dog Statute (MD Code, Criminal Law §10-619).
- Dogs classified as dangerous must be muzzled, leashed, and confined securely when in public or outside their enclosures.
Breed-Specific Bans/Restrictions
- Maryland has no statewide breed ban, but Prince George’s County enforces a pit bull-type breed ban, including:
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- State law (MD Code, Criminal Law §10-619) prohibits breed-based classification of “dangerous dogs,” focusing instead on individual behavior.
Licensing & Microchipping
- All dogs 4 months and older must be licensed annually in their home county (MD Code, Local Gov’t §11-101).
- Proof of current rabies vaccination is required for licensing.
- Microchipping is not required statewide but is strongly encouraged, and mandatory for all shelter adoptions.
Service Dogs & Assistance Animals
Legal Definitions
Under Maryland Human Relations Code §20-102 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service dog is defined as a dog trained to perform specific tasks to assist a person with a disability.
This includes:
- Guide dogs for individuals with visual impairments.
- Hearing dogs for the hearing-impaired.
- Mobility and psychiatric service dogs trained to perform actions such as retrieving medication, alerting, or calming during anxiety episodes.
Public Access Rights
- Service dogs have full access rights to all public accommodations, including restaurants, public transport, workplaces, and housing.
- Denying entry to a service animal is considered discrimination under MD Human Relations Code §20-703.
Certification/ID Requirements
- Maryland does not require certification or ID for service dogs.
- Businesses may only ask whether the dog is required for a disability and what task it performs.
- Misrepresentation of a service animal is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to $500 (MD Code, Human Relations §7-705).
Emotional Support Animals (ESA) & Psychiatric Service Animals (PSA)
Legal Recognition
Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) and Psychiatric Service Animals (PSAs) are only recognised in Maryland when registered with an accredited organisation that verifies their purpose and legitimacy.
Housing Rights
- Registered ESAs and PSAs are protected under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and Maryland Fair Housing laws.
- Landlords must make reasonable accommodations for registered ESAs and PSAs, even in no-pet housing, if valid documentation or registration is provided.
Travel Rights
- Airlines: Only psychiatric service dogs (registered and trained) qualify for in-cabin travel under federal DOT rules.
- ESAs are considered pets for air travel but may still fly in-cabin under airline-specific pet policies.
- Public Transport (MTA, Metro, MARC): Service dogs are always allowed; registered ESAs/PSAs may be accepted if leashed and well-behaved.
Veterinary & Animal Welfare Standards
Vaccination Schedules
- Rabies vaccination is required for all dogs 4 months or older (MD Code, Health-General §18-319).
- Owners must carry proof of vaccination while in public with their dogs.
- Core vaccinations (distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus, parainfluenza) are recommended statewide.
Neutering/Spaying Regulations
- Not required statewide, but all dogs adopted from shelters must be spayed or neutered under MD Code, Agriculture §2-1702.
Animal Welfare Acts
Maryland’s Anti-Cruelty Law (MD Code, Criminal Law §10-604) requires that owners:
- Provide adequate food, shelter, and medical care.
- Protect animals from cruelty, neglect, or abandonment.
- Avoid confining dogs in vehicles during extreme temperatures (“Hot Car Law”).
Violations can result in fines, animal seizure, or imprisonment.