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St. Mary’s County reopens public comment on animal ordinance definition for commercial animal establishments
Summary
County staff proposed removing the phrase “five or more dogs” from the commercial animal establishment definition in the county's 2024 animal control ordinance; public comment period open through May 6.
Commissioner President Randy Guy opened a public hearing on a proposed narrow amendment to the county's animal control ordinance, asking for public comment through May 6 on a change that would remove "five or more dogs" from the definition of "commercial animal establishment." Jen Utz, director of Emergency Services, presented the proposal and the history of the ordinance.
The amendment responds to complaints from residents who said the ordinance's definition could unintentionally classify private homes as commercial establishments. "That was a multi year work progress, from our animal control advisory board, our animal control officers, and some other constituents," Utz said, noting the body approved the update on 07/30/2024. She said the change is "very narrow" and intended to preserve enforcement of commercial breeding and cruelty cases while addressing residents' concerns.
The proposed change would strike the clause that references where "five or more dogs are kept" from the four criteria that define a commercial animal establishment. Utz told commissioners the removal would not affect the ability of animal control officers to enforce rules on commercial breeding, animal cruelty, or hoarding. "We think we're meeting the community in the middle on that," she said.
Commissioners discussed the limited scope of the amendment and the desire to continue soliciting public input rather than making larger revisions so soon after last year's ordinance adoption. David Weiskopf, county administrator, reviewed the public hearing process and said the county advertised the hearing on April 11 and April 18 and will accept written comments by email to csmc@stmaryscountymd.gov or by mail to PO Box 651, Leonardtown, Maryland 20650. No members of the public spoke in person on the animal ordinance at the hearing; the comment period remains open until close of business on May 6, 2025.
Because no formal motion or vote was taken at the hearing, the amendment remains under consideration pending the close of the public comment period and any subsequent formal agenda action by the commissioners.
