By Christy Goodman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, March 27, 2008

Calvert County commissioners passed the final version of a new Animal Control ordinance Tuesday, after nearly two years of discussions.

Commissioner Linda L. Kelley (R-At Large) called the legislation an "incredibly improved document" over its predecessor. It "will serve the community well," she said.

The ordinance includes more specific regulations and duties for Animal Control officers, higher licensing fees and fines and detailed definitions of legal animal shelters and tethering.

"What we have now compared to what we had is like day and night," said James Fisher, an Animal Control officer. "Now we have laws we can enforce" and that are easier for residents to understand, he said.

Provisions in earlier drafts that would have limited how farmers would be allowed to raise and care for livestock were removed before final passage. Time limits on tethering of animals also were eliminated.

"I just don't think you can put regulations in place that are totally impossible to enforce," said Commissioner Gerald W. Clark (R-Lusby). "The language we came up with compromised on that."

Still pending is a provision recommended by a citizens advisory group that calls for an Animal Matters Hearing Board.

That board would assume jurisdiction over many animal-related civil cases handled in the county court system. Creating the board requires the approval of the Maryland General Assembly, where the matter is awaiting final action.

One key feature of the hearing board approach is that money from fines imposed on violators of the ordinance would stay within the county.

"We need that revenue to support this department," said Jan Horton, co-chairman of the citizens advisory committee.

The measure, sponsored by state Del. Sue Kullen (D-Calvert), unanimously passed the House of Delegates and is before a Senate committee. If passed and signed by the governor, the law would go into effect in October.

Animal Control also requested six additional officers and one assistant as part of the ordinance. Commissioners President Wilson H. Parran (D-Huntingtown) said personnel issues would be taken up as part of the county's budget discussion. One additional officer and one assistant have been approved.