(a) (1) In Howard County, the County Executive, with the approval of the county council, sets the fees for dog and kennel licenses.

(2) A dog license expires as specified by local law.

(b) (1) In Howard County, the county tax collector shall issue a tag with each dog license to a person owning or keeping a dog when the person pays the license fee for the dog.

(2) The governing body of Howard County shall prepare and supply tags to the county tax collector each year.

(3) The tags shall be:

(i) composed of metal;

(ii) imprinted with a serial number corresponding to the number on the license issued to the owner;

(iii) imprinted with the calendar year for which the tag is issued;

(iv) 1 inch or less in length; and

(v) equipped with a substantial metal fastener.

(4) The governing body shall change the general shape of the tags each year.

(5) Tags supplied to owners of kennels shall contain the word “kennel”.

(6) The county tax collector shall replace a lost tag on:

(i) application by the person to whom the original license was issued;

(ii) the production of the license; and

(iii) payment of a fee of 25 cents.

(c) The County Council of Howard County, by law, shall designate a unit to administer and enforce the laws relating to dog licenses.

(d) (1) In Howard County, the owner or custodian of a female dog that is in heat shall:

(i) adequately and securely confine the dog;

(ii) prevent the dog from contacting roaming dogs; and

(iii) protect the dog from other dogs that are attracted to the premises.

(2) A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine of not less than $10 and not exceeding $50.