I. The Advisory Commission may research best practices in the following areas and provide recommendations to City agencies on each topic: 1) ways to eradicate animal abuse in the City of Baltimore, including dogfighting; 2) methods of increasing awareness of animal cruelty laws; 3) legislation to protect animals and prosecute abusers; 4) training techniques for law enforcement officials on how to handle animal cruelty cases humanely and to ensure acquisition of the best evidence to prosecute abusers; 5) steps to foster improved responses to incidents of animal cruelty; and 6) methods to improve training for animal control officers for their protection as well as the animals 

 

II. The Advisory Commission may: 1) review and monitor the successes and lessons learned in implementing its recommendations; 2) make recommendations for improving the effectiveness of programs targeting animal abuse; and 3) review and monitor ongoing animal cruelty calls and provide recommendations to City agencies for effective and timely investigation by and coordination among City agencies. 

 

III. Evaluate policies and programs. 1) The Advisory Commission may review and evaluate the impact of existing and proposed policies, programs, and legislation affecting the effort to eradicate animal abuse in Baltimore. 

 

IV. The Advisory Commission must submit an annual report on its activities to the Mayor and City Council. 
 

The Advisory Commission consists of 15 members, 7 of whom shall be appointed by the Mayor and 8 of whom are "ex officio" members. The 7 appointees must consist of:

•    2 members representing animal rescue groups or advocacy organizations
•    2 at-large members, nominated by the Mayor
•    1 member of the City Council, nominated by the City Council President
•    2 at-large members, nominated by the City Council President

 

The ex-officio members are the following individuals or their designated representatives: 1) the Mayor, 2) the President of the City Council, 3) the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City, 4) the Baltimore City Sheriff, 5) the Police Commissioner, 6) the Health Commissioner, 7) the Director of the Bureau of Animal Control, and 8) the Chief Executive Officer, Executive Director, or Director of an animal shelter operating within the boundaries of the City.