The Baltimore County Council has unanimously passed “Oscar’s Law”, a bill that sets the conditions in which it is unsafe to leave animals outdoors. The bill was introduced following the death of a dog due to hypothermia after being left alone outside.

The Baltimore Sun reports:

Oscar’s Law defines “adverse environmental conditions” that are unsafe for animals to be left outside without shelter, including temperatures below 32 degrees or above 90 degrees, wind, rain, snow, ice, sleet, hail and exposure to direct sunlight or hot pavement. Under those conditions, pets would have to be brought inside within 30 minutes of the onset of those conditions.

…

Oscar’s Law also clarifies that either an animal control officer or a police officer can investigate animal cruelty cases.

The article notes that County Executive Kevin Kamenetz has announced the creation of a special police department unit that would manage cases of animal abuse.

For more information read:

Baltimore County Council OKs ‘Oscar’s Law,’ outlining unsafe outdoor conditions for animals (The Baltimore Sun)