Councilman Marks Sponsors Bipartisan Bill to Reduce Animal Abuse

On March 19th, Baltimore County Councilman David Marks introduced bipartisan legislation to tighten animal abuse standards and move investigations to the Baltimore County Police Department.
Marks is a co-sponsor with Councilman Tom Quirk of the bill.
The legislation is the result of two months of discussions with animal welfare activists and State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger, and comes after the State's Attorney announced criminal charges in the case of Oscar, a dog left in extreme temperatures in southwestern Baltimore County.
"This legislation will set specific temperatures when pets must be brought into a shelter," Councilman Marks commented, with discretion provided for certain types of pets that might be acclimated for cold weather. "The bill also codifies the creation of an investigations unit in the Police Department."
Marks specifically credited animal activists Darla Feeheley, Joy Freedman, and Julianne Zimmer for their work on the bill.
Councilman Marks also sponsored the legislation that raised the fine for animal cruelty, and he secured funding to create the Perry Paw Dog Park.