The Salisbury Police Department has two full time Animal Control Officers (ACO’s) on staff. Both officers are nationally certified through the National Animal Control Association. They are trained in handling domestic animals and some wild animals that are indigenous to this area. They only handle complaints inside the corporate limits of the City of Salisbury. Our ACOs work in partnership with members of the Wicomico County Humane Society.
The ACOs provide coverage Monday through Friday from 8am to 7pm. They are available for after hours call-outs on an emergency basis, 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week. If you need assistance, call the Salisbury Police Department at 410-548-3165 and speak with one of our Police Communications Officers so that they may contact an animal control officer or send a police officer to assist you.
The Salisbury City Charter has a chapter concerning dogs, fowl, and other animals. Municipal Code Title 6 ‘Animals’ can be viewed by clicking on the “Salisbury City Charter/Code” link on our website’s “Links” page or the ACO’s can provide you with a written copy of the section at your request. Here are some of the ordinances our animal Control Officers enforce:
- Pet owners in Salisbury are required to:
- Not allow their dogs to run at large, which means off the premises of the owner, and not under control by leash or cord.
- Owners / custodians must provide their pets with proper amounts of food, water, shelter, medical care, sufficient air and ventilation, sanitary living conditions, sufficient living space, proper collar or chains, or pens.
- Owners / custodians shall not keep any dog, which by frequent or long continued noise, shall disturb the comfort or repose of any person in the vicinity of such dog.
- Owners / custodians shall not leave their pet inside an unattended motor vehicle in a manner that endangers that animal.
If you observe any of the above violations or if you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Salisbury Police Department and relay the information. Do not try to help the animal yourself because this could expose you to danger. You could be injured by the animal that you are trying to help. Under no circumstances should you go onto private property, leave that to the proper authorities.
If you observe a stray animal on your property, wild or domestic, leave it alone and contact the Salisbury Police Department. Do not attempt direct contact with it and encourage children to do the same. It may not be obvious if the animal is injured, sick, or diseased. Play it safe.
Please do not feed stray animals either directly or by leaving food outside for them. This practice encourages them to return and it also attracts unwanted animals thereby possibly spreading disease and promoting overpopulation.