SPIRO T. AGNEW, Governor                        1357

thereof shall be subject to a fine of not more than twenty-five dollars
($25.00) for each offense. Notwithstanding the aforegoing provi-
sions of this subsection, the barking of hunting dogs in pursuit of
game shall not be considered a disturbance of the public peace for
the purposes hereof.

(3) In addition to and not in substitution for any powers granted
under this subtitle, the county commissioners of Cecil County by
resolution or ordinance enacted according to its usual procedure may
provide for a comprehensive system for regulation of domestic
animals in the county, including licensing and control of domestic
animals. As a part of such regulation the county commissioners
may establish separate domestic animal control districts in the
county with regulations applicable solely within the district, provide
for the impounding and disposal of domestic animals found to be
dangerous to persons and property, and provide reasonable penalties
for violations of any regulations applicable to domestic animals.

(4) It is unlawful in Cecil County for any person to own or keep
a domestic animal which disturbs the peace and quiet of any neigh-
borhood in an inhabited area, or which is vicious and bites any
person. Upon the sworn complaint before a trial magistrate in Cecil
County of any two or more persons of different households alleging
that a domestic animal disturbs the peace and quiet of any neighbor-
hood in an inhabited area of Cecil County, or upon the sworn com-
plaint of any one or more persons that a domestic animal is vicious
and has bitten any person, a summons shall issue to the owner or
keeper of such domestic animal to appear before a trial magistrate
in Cecil County. Upon proof that the domestic animal disturbs the
peace and quiet of any neighborhood in an inhabited area, or is
vicious and has bitten any person, the owner or keeper may be re-
quired to deliver up the offending domestic animal to be killed in the
most humane manner possible unless he removes the domestic animal
permanently from the neighborhood. If the owner or keeper is
required to deliver up the domestic animal to be killed or to remove
it as aforesaid, and he refuses or fails to do so, then it is the duty of
any police officer or any duly empowered agent on behalf of the county
to seize the domestic animal wherever it may be found and to cause it
to be killed in the most humane manner possible. The court may
order the domestic animal restrained or enter such other appropriate
order as the case may require. Any owner failing to comply with the
provisions of this paragraph or a court order entered thereunder is
guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be sub-
ject to a fine of not more than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for each
offense. Notwithstanding the aforegoing provisions of this sub-
section, the barking of hunting dogs in pursuit of game shall not be
considered a disturbance of the public peace for the purposes hereof.

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That this Act shall take effect
July 1, 1968.

Approved May 7, 1968