Marvin Mandel, Governor                         371

manner possible. The court may order the dog 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 con-
viction thereof shall be subject to a fine of not more than twenty-five
dollars ($25.00) for each offense. Notwithstanding the aforegoing
provisions 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)] (4) 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 Com-
missioners 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)] (5) It is unlawful in Cecil County for any person to own
or keep a domestic animal which disturbs the peace and quiet of any
neighborhood 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 neighborhood in an inhabited area of Cecil County, or upon
the sworn complaint 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 required 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 wher-
ever it may be found and to cause it to be killed in the most humane
manner possible. The court may order the domestic animal re-
strained 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 mis-
demeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be subject to a fine of
not more than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for each offense. Not-
withstanding the aforegoing provisions of this subsection, the bark-
ing 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, 1972.

Approved April 26, 1972.