Animal Control 
Local vet partners with City to help pets get microchips implanted inexpensively.
The City is committed to an Animal Control Program that will serve its residents as well as treat animals humanely. The Animal Control Office is empowered and required to enforce Chapter 4 of the Bowie City Code and to respond to calls for assistance within the geographic boundaries of the City of Bowie. All dogs, cats and ferrets residing within the Bowie City limits must be licensed and be kept on a leash when off the pet owner's property. (A current rabies vaccination is required in order to obtain a license.)
The City of Bowie Animal Control Office has an officer on duty during the following hours:
Monday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday - Friday 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Saturday 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
For other times, or when an officer is not available due to illness, vacation, etc., residents may contact the Prince George's County Animal Management Division at 301-780-7200 for assistance. The County has personnel on duty 24 hours a day.
For more information about services provided by Bowie Animal Control, please call 301-809-3002 or 301-262-6200, extension 3002.
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, 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. 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
- For nuisance cats, you can borrow a cat trap from the City and set it on your property in an attempt to catch the animal(s). Call the Animal Control Office for more details.
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
- a description of the dog ( i.e. breed, size, 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 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. You must be willing to attend either an Administrative Review Board hearing and/or appear in District Court, if necessary. A copy of your affidavit 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 301-883-6009.
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 Offfice. Bite cases involving human contact are monitored by the Prince George's County Health Department, which can be contacted for more information at 301-883-7600.
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.
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. Bowie Animal Control will also handle removal of your deceased pet. Call the office at 301-809-3002 or 301-262-6200, extension 3002 for assistance.
Nuisance Wildlife
Davidsonville Wildlife Sanctuary, located near Bowie, is the region's only shock-trauma hospital for sick, injured or orphaned wildlife. The Sanctuary is supported solely through donations. They offer these friendly suggestions:
You may discover small rabbits hopping around the yard or uncover a rabbit nest in the lawn - especially after mowing grass. Don't assume the babies are abandoned. The parents visit the nest usually at night. Please cover the nest with dry grass or other ground cover. Check the babies in the morning to see that they are warm and safe. The mother will not reject the babies because you have touched them.
You may also see baby birds who are unable to fly and who only run along the ground. This is part of the process of them learning how to fly. It is okay to leave them alone or place them in a nearby bush. If a partially feathered baby bird has fallen from its nest and you can safely return it to its nest, please do so. Parent birds will not reject the babies because you have touched them.
If you find an injured or orphaned wild animal, you can call City Hall or you can contact the Davidsonville Wildlife Sanctuary at 410-798-0193 for assistance.
The City provides assistance in removing wildlife located within the living space of your residence.
Nuisance wildlife not within the living space of your residence can be eliminated by means of exclusion. Call City Hall for details at 301-809-3002 or 301-262-6200, extension 3002. For more information regarding nuisance wildlife, see the University of Maryland, Maryland Cooperative Extension.
| 301-809-3002 or 301-262-6200, ext. 3002 TTY:301-262-5013 To reach an Animal Control Officer after 5 p.m. on Friday or during the day on Saturday, call 301-440-5252. |
Office Hours: |
