§ 13-133. Wicomico County

   (a) Dog and kennel licenses. --

   (1) In Wicomico County, each year as specified by law, a person owning or keeping a dog shall apply to the county tax collector for a license for the dog if the dog is at least 6 months old.

   (2) At the time of application, the applicant shall pay the fee for a dog or kennel license set by the governing body of Wicomico County.

   (3) Except as provided by § 13-108 of this subtitle, the licenses and fees required under this section are the only licenses and fees required for owning or keeping a dog.

   (4) The governing body shall prepare and supply the form for a license issued under this subsection.

   (5) A dog license shall contain the date of issuance, a serial number, and a description of the dog licensed.

   (6) A license expires as specified by local law.

(b) Dog tags. --

   (1) In Wicomico County, the county tax collector shall issue a tag with each dog license to a person owning or keeping a dog when the person pays the license fee for the dog.

   (2) The governing body of Wicomico County shall prepare and supply tags to the county tax collector each year.

   (3) The tags shall be:

      (i) composed of metal;

      (ii) imprinted with a serial number corresponding to the number on the license issued to the owner under subsection (a) of this section;

      (iii) imprinted with the calendar year for which the tag is issued;

      (iv) 1 inch or less in length; and

      (v) equipped with a substantial metal fastener.

   (4) The governing body shall change the general shape of the tags each year.

   (5) Tags supplied to owners of kennels shall contain the word "kennel".

   (6) The person owning or keeping a dog shall attach the tag to a substantial collar and keep the collar and tag on the dog for which the license was issued at all times, except when the dog is:

      (i) confined in a kennel; or

      (ii) hunting under the charge of an attendant.

   (7) The county tax collector shall replace a lost tag on:

      (i) application by the person to whom the original license was issued;

      (ii) the production of the license; and

      (iii) payment of a fee of 25 cents.

(c) Designation of assistants to county tax collector. -- The governing body of Wicomico County may designate persons to assist the county tax collector to collect license fees and issue licenses and tags under this subtitle.

(d) Dogs in heat. --

   (1) In Wicomico County, the owner or custodian of a female dog that is in heat:

      (i) may not knowingly allow the dog to run at large; and

      (ii) shall confine the dog.

   (2) A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $ 25.

HISTORY: An. Code 1957, art. 24, § 11-501(a), (l), 11-503(a), 11-504(c), 11-512; 2013, ch. 119, § 2.