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How to File Dog Complaints Town residents have two options for making complaints about dogs: 1) In order for the Town to take action regarding a dog problem, the citizen complaint must file a formal written complaint with the Town. If this is done, the Town can then issue a ticket to the owner of the dog. The citizen complaint will be summoned to court to testify against the owner of the dog. (A Town ticket beat a $5 fine). 2) The second way a dog complaint can be
handled is to report the problem directly to the
Animal Control Commission, 5012 Rhode Island Avenue,
Hyattsville, Maryland (Phone: 301-699-2710) in the
following manner: a) Send a letter to the Animal Control Commission indicating the problem. i) The Commission will send the animal owner a letter stating the complainant, as well as the complaint's name. ii) The Commission will also send a letter to the complainant indicating that the owner of the dog has been notified. b) If the problem persists after a reasonable amount of time (approximately fifteen (15) days), the complainant must write a second letter to the Animal Control Commission indicating the problem has not been resolved. A Hearing will then be scheduled. i) If the complainant does not appear at the Hearing, the matter will be dropped. ii) If the animal owner does not appear, the sheriff with a Circuit Court order will accompany the animal control representative to the owner's house to seize the dog. iii) If both parties appear at the Hearing, the Commission has the power to levy a $500 fine and seize the dog.
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