Overview
- The three-bill package, which was introduced Monday, goes to the County Council with backing from Democrats Julian Jones and Izzy Patoka and Republican David Marks.
- One bill would create a Reckless Animal Owner label that bars people from owning animals for four years after two violations within 24 months.
- Another bill would cut the time to appeal an animal hearing board decision from 30 days to 10 and require quicker rulings to shorten shelter stays.
- The plan would add humane-care rules such as outdoor shelter and veterinary care and set threat tiers for animals labeled dangerous, potentially dangerous, or menacing.
- Officials cited repeated hoarding cases and costs, including more than $400,000 spent on 80-plus animals seized from Kimberly Klein’s home, as Klein’s cruelty case was reopened last month and 42 more animals were removed from the same Halethorpe property in March.