Montgomery County Councilmember Sidney Katz introduced Bill 21-17 on June 20 that would ensure that dogs could be off-leash in dog parks that are established by municipalities in the county.
Dogs currently can be off-leash (technically “at large”) in dog parks in Montgomery County established and overseen by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). However, M-NCPPC regulations regarding dog parks do not apply in dog parks that are established by municipalities within the county.
Councilmembers Roger Berliner, Marc Elrich and Craig Rice are co-sponsors of Bill 21-17.
A public hearing on the bill is tentatively scheduled for July 11.
The bill will not impact county laws that call for dogs to be on leashes in public areas.