Pet Policies

Pets Running at Large

If there is a cat or dog in your neighborhood that runs at large, there are several options available to resolve the problem.

Dogs

Call Bowie Animal Control during regular business hours to have an officer dispatched to your neighborhood to look for this pet. Please be prepared to provide as much of the following information as possible:

  • Address of pet owner if known
  • Description of the dog (i.e. breed, size, and color)
  • Nature of the problem

This information can be given anonymously. However, it is helpful to provide your name and number should the Animal Control Officer find it necessary to contact you for further information. During regular business hours you can visit City Hall to file an affidavit concerning the problem. The Animal Control Officer can then issue a municipal infraction to the pet owner. If you file an affidavit, you must be willing to attend an Administrative Review Board hearing and / or appear in District Court, if necessary. A copy of your affidavit will be attached to the infraction notice sent to the pet owner.

Cats

Cats are often listed in one of two categories: Owned or Not Owned. Cats found running at large that do not have an owner are often abandoned or feral cats. Cats that have owners but are found outdoors off their property are often a free roaming cat or a lost or stray cat. Owners are required to keep their cats within the boundaries of their property or they must be leashed or caged when off the property. For nuisance cats, please contact Bowie Animal Control for exclusionary techniques to keep the cat away from your property. If the owner is known, an Animal Control Officer can deliver a nuisance letter advising the owner of the concern. Feral or abandoned cats will be handled according to the City Code. (See our page about the Trap Neuter Return Program or call the Animal Control Office, 301-809-3002 for more information.

Ear Tipped Cats
A cat found running at large with approximately 1/4 inch of the left ear surgically removed is recognized by the Prince George's County Code, Subtitle 3, Sec 3-101 as having been neutered and vaccinated. A Bowie Animal Control Officer that has trapped or responds to a trapped ear tipped cat in the field shall immediately release the cat at the location where it was trapped unless the cat shows signs of disease, injury or it endangers the life or health of other animals, persons or damages property.

Nuisance Barking

There are several options available when this occurs:

  • Call Animal Control, to report the nuisance barking. Please be prepared to provide the following necessary information:
    • Address of dog owner
    • Description of the dog (i.e. breed, size, and color)
    • Times / dates the nuisance barking occurs
  • This information can be given anonymously. It is helpful to provide your name and number should the Animal Control Officer find it necessary to contact you for further information. A letter from the Animal Control Office will be sent to the dog owner concerning this nuisance report.
  • Should the nuisance barking continue, you and another responsible adult residing in a separate household will need to visit City Hall to file a notarized affidavit concerning the barking problem. The Animal Control Officer can then issue a municipal infraction to the pet owner. The applicants must be willing to attend either an Administrative Review Board hearing and / or appear in District Court, if necessary. A copy of the affidavits will be enclosed with the infraction sent to the dog owner.
  • Record dates and times of the problem and request a hearing before the Prince George's County Commission for Animal Control by calling 301-883-7879.

Bite Cases

Any bite involving a human victim should be treated seriously. The incident must be reported immediately to the Police Department or to the Animal Control Office. Bite cases involving human contact are monitored by the Prince George's County Health Department, which can be contacted for more information at 301-583-3750.

Bites which occur between a domestic pet and wildlife must be reported to the Animal Control Office. You should also consult your pet's veterinarian. It is extremely important that your pet has a current rabies vaccination.

Dead Animals 

Dead wildlife found within the city limits will be removed by Animal Control. To report dead wildlife, please call City Hall at 301-809-3002.

Deceased pets can be buried on private property provided the pet did not die from a communicable disease. The pet must be buried at least 2 feet below the surface. Prince George's County Animal Control can also arrange for the removal of your deceased pet. Please call their office at 301-780-7200 for assistance.