Title 8 — Environmental and Animal Control and Protection.

For the purposes of this subchapter: (1)(A) The term “animal at large” means any animal found off the premises of its owner and neither leashed nor otherwise under the immediate control of a person capable of physically restraining it. (B) The term “at large” does not include a d…

(a) The Mayor may contract, either by negotiation or competitive bid, with a District of Columbia humane organization to serve as the Animal Care and Control Agency. The Mayor may delegate all or part of his authority under this subchapter, including the issuance of notices of vi…

(a) An owner who has a dog over the age of 4 months shall have the dog vaccinated against rabies and distemper. Pursuant to rules issued by the Mayor, an owner of a cat over the age of 4 months shall have that cat vaccinated against rabies. (b) The Mayor shall provide a free anti…

(a) For purposes of this section, “owner” shall not include: (1) A licensed veterinary hospital; (2) A licensed pet shop; and (3) An incorporated animal welfare agency not engaged in the sale of animals. (b) An owner who has a dog over the age of 4 months shall before July 1st of…

(a) The Mayor shall impound any dogs, cats, rabbits, or ferrets, the combination of which exceeds 4 animals, or any dogs, cats, rabbits, or ferrets beyond the number authorized in an animal hobby permit issued pursuant to § 8-1809. (b) Upon impounding an animal, the Mayor shall m…

(a) The Mayor shall not release a dog to its owner unless the owner has obtained a license as provided in § 8-1804. (b) An owner of an animal that is impounded shall pay the following: (1) An impoundment fee of $15 for animals certified by a licensed veterinarian as either spayed…

(a) The Mayor shall not release a dog for adoption unless the person adopting the dog obtains a license as provided in § 8-1804. (b)(1) The Mayor shall not release a female animal over the age of 6 months for adoption unless: (A) The animal has been spayed; and (B) The person ado…

(a) No owner of an animal shall allow the animal to go at large. (b) No person shall knowingly and falsely deny ownership of any animal. (c) No person shall remove the license of a dog without the permission of its owner. (d) No person shall change the natural color of a baby chi…

(a) The Mayor is authorized to establish dog parks on District-owned parkland in which a dog under the verbal command of a responsible adult may exercise off-leash. (b) A dog park shall be completely enclosed by a fence and gate, both no less than 5 feet in height. (c) The Mayor,…

(a) No person shall own or keep 7 or more mammals, larger than a guinea pig and over the age of 4 months, without obtaining an animal hobby permit: Except, that this section shall not apply to a licensed pet shop, licensed veterinary hospital, circus or traveling exhibition. (b) …

The Mayor shall implement an education and incentive program, which shall include the following: (1) Low cost spay and neuter clinic services; and (2) Program for education of animal owners.

Each person who violates a provision of this subchapter shall pay a fine not to exceed $25 for the first violation, $50 for the second violation occurring within a 24-month period, and $100 for each subsequent violation occurring within a 24-month period.

If a dog injures a person while at large, lack of knowledge of the dog’s vicious propensity standing alone shall not absolve the owner from a finding of negligence.

(a) The Mayor may issue a notice of violation to any person who violates a provision of this subchapter. (b) A notice of violation shall: (1) State the nature of the violation; and (2) Describe the procedures provided in this section. (c) A notice of violation shall be the summon…

(a) Within 180 days of December 5, 2008, the Mayor shall establish licensure requirements for commercial animal breeders in the District of Columbia, which shall include: (1) Licensing fees; (2) Standards for the care and management of animals; and (3) Facility inspection require…

(a) No person shall operate a commercial pet care facility without first obtaining a basic business license with an Inspected Sales and Services license endorsement pursuant to Title 47. The Mayor shall issue rules to establish the standards for the care and management of animals…

This subchapter may be cited as the “Sustainable Urban Agriculture Apiculture Act of 2012”.

For the purposes of this subchapter, the term: (1) “Africanized bee” means a hybrid variety of Apis mellifera produced by the cross-breeding of the aggressive African honey bee Apis mellifera scutellata with a European honey bee subspecies. (2) “Apiary” means a place where a colo…

A colony may be kept in the District only if it is established and maintained in a manner consistent with this subchapter and any regulations promulgated pursuant to this subchapter.

(a) A colony kept in the District shall be registered annually with the Department. (b) No person shall bring into the District a colony or portion of a colony, bees on combs, empty used combs, used hives, or other used apiary appliances without complying with the procedures esta…

Repealed Repealed.

Repealed Repealed.

(a) The Department shall establish procedures and may take measures to control the spread of bee diseases and may order a beekeeper to take measures to control the spread of bee diseases. (b) The Mayor shall treat or destroy the bees, hives, and honey of a beekeeper who fails to …

Repealed Repealed.

(a) The Mayor, pursuant to subchapter I of Chapter 5 of Title 2 [§ 2-501 et seq.], may issue rules to implement the provisions of this subchapter. The rules may establish fees necessary to implement the provisions of this subchapter. (b) The Mayor may enforce this subchapter by u…

(a) No person shall release an animal from the custody or control of any entity charged with animal protection for any purpose except adoption or to improve the opportunity for adoption, redemption by the owner of the animal, or other suitable placement in the best interest of th…

For the purposes of this subchapter, the term “commercial guard dog” means any dog trained to guard, protect, patrol, or defend any commercial premises.

(a) All commercial guard dogs shall have a valid commercial guard dog license issued pursuant to District law. Upon issuance of a license, the Mayor shall issue a fluorescent guard dog identification tag, or such other tag as the Mayor determines appropriate, to be affixed to the…

(a) All commercial guard dogs shall undergo an annual examination by a licensed veterinarian for the purpose of determining whether or not the animal is healthy and fit to work as a commercial guard dog. Upon a determination by a licensed veterinarian that a commercial guard dog …

An individual, business, or entity that utilizes a commercial guard dog shall maintain a general liability insurance policy for bodily injury, personal injury, and property damage of not less than $50,000 to insure against liability resulting from acts of the animal performed whi…

An individual, business, or entity that utilizes a commercial guard dog shall notify the Mayor, in writing, as to the presence of the animal and shall provide contact information for the entity responsible for the animal and a 24-hour emergency telephone number.

An individual, business, or entity that utilizes a commercial guard dog shall post a sign in plain view alerting the public to the presence of a commercial guard dog and shall include the name of the entity responsible for the animal and a 24-hour emergency telephone.

A commercial guard dog shall not be maintained on any premises unless the dog is provided: (1) Full access to an enclosed shelter sufficient to protect the dog from wind, rain, excessive heat or cold, and disease; and (2) Continuous access to sufficient food and water.

Any person found guilty of violating this subchapter shall be subject to a penalty of $500 for the first offense and $1,000 for each subsequent offense.

The Mayor shall issue rules to implement the provisions of this subchapter.

Only animals of appropriate size and temperament suitable to a classroom environment shall be introduced into the classroom. Use of such animals shall be for instructional purposes only.

(a) Animals kept in schools shall be provided sufficient food and water, be cared for in a safe and humane manner, and remain in schools during holidays only if provided adequate care. (b) Animals no longer needed in the classroom should be adopted out to a suitable home or given…

Within 90 days of December 5, 2008, the Mayor shall establish an emergency preparedness plan for the protection, sheltering, and evacuation of domestic animals during and following a major disaster or emergency.