If you own an American Bully in Maryland — or you’re thinking about getting one — the legal landscape here is more nuanced than a simple yes-or-no answer. Maryland does not ban any breed at the state level, but local jurisdictions have historically imposed some of the strictest breed-specific rules in the country, and those rules are still shifting.
The most significant recent change is the November 2025 repeal of Prince George’s County’s nearly 30-year pit bull ban, which has direct implications for American Bully owners across the state. Understanding what changed, what stayed the same, and what varies county by county is essential before you bring a bully breed home, sign a lease, or renew your homeowner’s insurance.
This guide walks you through every layer of Maryland’s legal framework as it applies to American Bullies — from state statutes and local ordinances to housing restrictions and dangerous dog classifications.
Is the American Bully Recognized as a Separate Breed Under Maryland Law?
Maryland state law does not recognize the American Bully (Canis lupus familiaris, selectively developed from American Pit Bull Terrier and bulldog lines) as a distinct breed for legal purposes. Maryland law does not distinguish between different breeds of dogs or single out pit bulls for special treatment — all dog owners have a common set of responsibilities. The American Bully is not named in any Maryland statute, and no state-level registry or permit requirement applies to the breed by name.
That said, the American Bully’s physical appearance is the source of most legal risk in Maryland. Because the breed shares traits with Staffordshire Terriers and American Pit Bull Terriers, it can be swept into local ordinances that rely on visual identification rather than formal breed registration. Mixed breed dogs who have features resembling bully breeds are frequently targeted by breed-specific bills, and regardless of how well trained or how nice your dog might be, if you live in an area with a bully breed restriction, your dog could be impacted.
The American Bully is also not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), which means there is no AKC registration document you can use to distinguish your dog from a “pit bull type” under a local ordinance. If you need to demonstrate breed identity, a DNA test or registration with the American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC) is your most practical option.
Does Maryland Have Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL)?
Maryland state law does not distinguish between different breeds of dogs or single out pit bulls for special treatment — all dog owners have a common set of responsibilities, though some Maryland counties do have breed-specific laws. Maryland is not one of the states that has passed a statewide preemption law blocking local BSL, so individual counties and municipalities remain free to enact their own restrictions.
At the state level, the most important legal development in recent years was the passage of a breed-neutral liability law. Maryland Cts & Jud Pro Code § 3-1901.2 effectively changed a prior ruling that found pit bulls to be inherently dangerous, meaning pit bulls are no longer deemed to be inherently dangerous under state law. This matters for American Bully owners because it removed the automatic, strict liability that once attached to anything that looked like a pit bull — but it did not eliminate liability altogether.
Maryland uses a strict liability rule to decide if owners are responsible for injuries, deaths, or property damage caused by their dogs, and if the owner is responsible, they must pay the victim’s damages. The difference is that liability now depends on the dog’s behavior and the owner’s knowledge, not simply on breed appearance. You can read more about how this compares to neighboring states in our guide to pit bull laws in Maryland.
Key Insight: Maryland’s state law is breed-neutral, but it does not stop local governments from passing their own breed restrictions. Always verify the rules in your specific county or municipality before acquiring an American Bully.
Local and County-Level Bully Breed Restrictions in Maryland
The county-level picture in Maryland has changed significantly since late 2025. On November 18, 2025, Prince George’s County, Maryland voted unanimously to reverse its nearly 30-year ban on pit bull ownership, ending one of the strictest breed-specific restrictions in the state. This is the most consequential shift in Maryland’s BSL landscape in decades.
Under the old ordinance, the ban covered a wide range of dogs that could include American Bullies. Under the old law, “pit bull-type dogs” included Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, American Pit Bull Terriers, and dogs with predominant traits of those breeds. Any American Bully that visually resembled one of those breeds could have been seized and the owner penalized.
The new Prince George’s County legislation focuses on increasing accountability, raising civil penalties, and expanding the criteria for classifying a dog as dangerous, shifting the focus from breed to behavior. However, the repeal came with new compliance requirements for pit bull-type dog owners in the county, which are discussed in the requirements section below.
Beyond Prince George’s County, a small number of other Maryland localities have historically maintained bully breed restrictions. Pit bulls have been banned or restricted in the following Maryland cities and counties: Prince George’s County, Edmonston, Ridgely, and Port Deposit. If you live in or near any of these jurisdictions, you should contact local animal control directly to confirm the current status of any ordinance, since local codes can change without widespread media coverage. You may also find our overview of Rottweiler laws in Maryland useful, as it covers how BSL frameworks in these same localities can affect other large, powerful breeds.
Baltimore City does not have a breed ban, but it enforces its own set of animal control rules. While Baltimore City does not prohibit specific breeds, it does enforce leash laws, licensing requirements, and public safety ordinances. American Bully owners in Baltimore City should ensure their dog is licensed, vaccinated, and on a leash in public spaces. For a full breakdown of leash requirements statewide, see our article on leash laws in Maryland.
Insurance, Housing, and Landlord Restrictions on Bully Breeds in Maryland
Even in areas where owning an American Bully is entirely legal, you may face practical barriers through insurance and housing. These private-sector restrictions are separate from government law, but they carry real consequences for your ability to keep your dog.
Homeowner’s and Renter’s Insurance
In 2013, the Maryland Legislature passed a law requiring insurance companies to disclose any breed-specific discrimination in their policies, meaning that if your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy excludes coverage for bully breed-related incidents, the insurer must tell you. However, this disclosure requirement does not prohibit the exclusion itself, so you may still need to shop for a policy that covers your breed. Ask your insurer directly whether American Bullies are excluded, and get the answer in writing before you finalize a policy.
Rental Housing and Landlords
Private landlords in Maryland are generally free to prohibit specific breeds in their lease agreements, and many do. As a landlord, you may be held liable for injuries caused by your tenant’s dogs if you had knowledge that the dog was dangerous and did not take reasonable steps to protect tenants and visitors from harm, and things like knowledge of previous attacks or reports from tenants that the dog acted viciously can be used as evidence. This liability exposure is one reason landlords often ban bully breeds preemptively, regardless of an individual dog’s temperament.
If you rent, review your lease carefully before bringing an American Bully home. A breed restriction in a lease is enforceable under Maryland contract law, and violating it can result in eviction. If the lease is silent on breed but your landlord later objects, the landlord’s ability to act depends on the lease terms and local tenant protections.
Military Housing
Since 2012, all major U.S. military service branches have enacted restricted breed policies that prohibit certain breeds from privatized housing, chiefly pit bulls, Rottweilers, and wolf-dog hybrids. If you live or plan to live on a military installation in Maryland, your American Bully will almost certainly be prohibited from on-base housing regardless of the dog’s individual temperament or training history.
Important Note: Maryland’s insurance disclosure law protects you from being caught off guard after a claim, but it does not force insurers to cover your breed. Shop specifically for a policy that names bully breeds as covered, and keep documentation of your dog’s training and temperament on file.
“Dangerous Dog” Classification and What It Means in Maryland
Maryland’s dangerous dog framework applies to all breeds equally and is triggered by behavior, not appearance. Maryland has specific measures in place to address dangerous dogs and protect the public; according to the Maryland Code, Criminal Law Article, Section 10-619, a dog may be classified as dangerous if it has killed or seriously injured a person or another domestic animal.
Classification as a dangerous dog carries immediate, concrete obligations. Owners of dangerous dogs must maintain liability insurance of at least $100,000 to cover potential damages, and dangerous dogs must be securely confined and muzzled in public. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in fines, legal actions, or, in extreme cases, the mandatory euthanasia of the animal.
There is no official list of “dangerous” dog breeds under Maryland law — the classification is applied to individual animals based on their history. This is important for American Bully owners to understand: your dog cannot be labeled dangerous simply because of its breed, but a single serious incident can trigger the full weight of the dangerous dog statute.
Maryland also applies a strict liability rule in specific circumstances. Maryland follows a “strict liability” rule for dogs running at large — if the dog was not properly contained or leashed and it bit someone, the owner can be held liable even if the dog had no prior history of aggression. Keeping your American Bully properly contained and leashed at all times is not just responsible ownership — it is your legal protection. For comparison, see how other states handle this in our guides to American Bully laws in Texas and American Bully laws in Michigan.
Prince George’s County’s new behavior-based framework expanded the dangerous dog definition beyond the state baseline. The Prince George’s County Council voted to toughen penalties on any dangerous dog, regardless of breed, and also voted to expand the criteria for classifying a dog as dangerous. If your American Bully lives in Prince George’s County, you should review the updated county code to understand exactly what behaviors now trigger a dangerous dog determination.
Requirements for Owning a Bully Breed Under Local Ordinances in Maryland
Because Maryland’s rules vary by locality, the requirements you face depend heavily on where you live. The following covers the most significant jurisdiction-specific obligations currently in place.
Prince George’s County
While pit bull ownership is now permitted in Prince George’s County, the new legislation introduces new compliance rules, expands dangerous animal definitions, and increases civil penalties. Under the updated rules, pit bull owners in Prince George’s County must obtain a special permit. Failure to follow requirements may result in civil penalties. Because the American Bully can be classified as a pit bull-type dog under a visual assessment, these permit requirements may apply to your dog. Contact Prince George’s County Animal Management directly to confirm whether your specific dog requires a permit.
Statewide Baseline Requirements
Regardless of which county you live in, all Maryland dog owners share a common set of baseline obligations:
- Your dog must be licensed through your county’s animal control agency.
- Rabies vaccination is required statewide under Maryland health law.
- Your dog must be under control in public — either on a leash or otherwise restrained.
- If your dog is formally classified as dangerous, you must carry at least $100,000 in liability insurance and keep the dog securely confined and muzzled in public.
Maryland is unique in that the state law governs the specific licensing and other regulations certain counties may adopt or enforce. This means county-level rules are built on top of the state framework, not in place of it. You must comply with both.
If you own a bully breed in one of the smaller jurisdictions with active BSL — such as Edmonston, Ridgely, or Port Deposit — contact that municipality’s animal control office directly. Local ordinances in small towns are not always indexed online, and the requirements can differ substantially from county rules. Our related guide on American Bully laws in California illustrates how patchwork local rules work in another large, multi-jurisdiction state.
Pro Tip: Even if your county has no breed ban, carry your dog’s ABKC registration, vaccination records, and any training certifications when traveling through Maryland. If animal control stops you in a jurisdiction with BSL, documentation of breed identity and temperament can make a significant difference.
What to Do If Your Bully Breed Is Targeted Under a Local Ordinance in Maryland
If animal control contacts you about your American Bully — whether because of a neighbor complaint, a visual identification in a BSL jurisdiction, or a dangerous dog allegation — the steps you take in the first 24 to 48 hours matter considerably.
Document Everything Immediately
Gather your dog’s ABKC or UKC registration papers, DNA test results, veterinary records, vaccination history, and any training certifications. If your dog has completed a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) evaluation through the AKC, that documentation can help demonstrate temperament. Write down the date, time, location, and name of any animal control officer who contacted you.
Do Not Surrender Your Dog Without Legal Advice
In jurisdictions with active BSL, animal control may request or demand that you surrender your dog. You are generally entitled to a hearing before your dog is destroyed or permanently removed. Although court documents acknowledged for years that Prince George’s County’s pit bull ban was often not directly enforced, the ordinance still made it illegal for many county residents to own pit bulls and violations could result in serious penalties. Even where enforcement was inconsistent, the legal penalties were real — which means the procedural rights attached to enforcement are also real. Exercise them.
Request a Breed Determination Hearing
In Maryland, breed determinations under local BSL are typically made by animal control officers using visual assessment. These assessments are not infallible. If you believe your dog has been misidentified, you can challenge the determination. DNA evidence and expert testimony from a veterinarian or certified breed evaluator have been used successfully in Maryland BSL challenges.
Consult an Attorney Familiar with Maryland Animal Law
An attorney can advise you on whether the local ordinance is being applied correctly, whether your procedural rights have been respected, and whether the ordinance itself is legally sound. The new Prince George’s County legislation expands the criteria for classifying a dog as dangerous, shifting the focus from breed to behavior — but in localities where older BSL remains on the books, the legal standards are different and worth scrutinizing with professional help.
Engage Local Advocacy Organizations
Organizations like Best Friends Animal Society have worked directly with Maryland county governments to challenge and repeal BSL. Breed-specific legislation and restrictions are proven to do nothing to keep communities safe, and all animals are individuals — laws should be based on behavior, not what an animal looks like. Connecting with local advocates can provide both practical support and, in some cases, legal resources.
If you are navigating related animal law questions in Maryland, our guides on feral cat laws in Maryland, outdoor cat laws in Maryland, and kennel zoning laws in Maryland cover adjacent areas of the state’s animal control framework. For owners in other states, see our guides to American Bully laws in Texas and American Bully laws in California for comparison.
The legal environment for American Bully owners in Maryland is moving in a more favorable direction, but it remains uneven. State law is breed-neutral, the most restrictive county ban has been lifted, and liability now turns on behavior rather than appearance. What has not changed is the need for owners to stay informed, stay documented, and stay compliant — because the rules in the county next door may be very different from the ones where you live.