GBPCA
Greater Beaufort Park Citizens’ Association

Community Resources

Local services, safety contacts, and how-to guidance for residents. Send tips and updates to GBPCA.web@gmail.com.

Howard County Police Community Resource Officer

Officer
PFC Steven Mitzel
Direct line
410-313-3755
Non-emergency
410-313-2200
Email
smitzel@howardcountymd.gov
Address
11226 Scaggsville Rd, Laurel, MD 20723

Reservoir fire trail issues

WSSC Operations · 301-206-8888

Howard County Animal Control & Adoption Center

Address
8576 Davis Road, Columbia, MD 21045
Main line
410-313-2780
After hours
410-313-2929
Email
animalcontrol@howardcountymd.gov
Hours
  • Mon, Wed, Fri8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Tue, Thu11:00 AM – 6:45 PM
  • Sat, SunClosed

Howard County Animal Control website →

Who to call
  • Life-threatening emergency or active animal attack
    Call 911
  • Animal bite (skin broken)
    410-313-2780 ext. 0
  • Stray, loose, lost, or found pet (during hours)
    410-313-2780
  • Stray, loose, or injured animal (after hours)
    410-313-2929
  • Animal cruelty (during hours)
    410-313-2780 — calls may remain anonymous
  • Animal cruelty (after hours)
    Police non-emergency: 410-313-2200
  • Dead deer or wildlife in the road
    Howard County DPW: 410-313-7450 (county roads); MDOT 410-545-0300 (state highways)
Report a lost petReport a found pet

Nuisance & loose pets

Howard County requires pets to be on a leash and under control whenever they're off the owner's property, and prohibits barking that disturbs neighbors. Violations carry civil fines of $25–$500; serious or repeat cases can go before the Animal Matters Hearing Board.

Leash law

A domesticated animal must be on a leash and under the control of a responsible person whenever it is off the owner's property.

Excessive barking

Owners must prevent dogs from barking to the extent that it disturbs neighbors.

How to file a complaint that sticks

  1. If a pet is loose and a current threat (chasing kids, in the road, attacking another animal), call 410-313-2780 during business hours or 410-313-2929 after hours. Animal Control will respond.
  2. For an ongoing problem — a pet that gets loose repeatedly, or barking that disturbs you most days — file a sworn affidavit with Animal Control. Call 410-313-2780 to request the form.
  3. The affidavit requires your name, address, and phone — these complaints are not anonymous. Your phone number can be withheld from the defendant on request.
  4. You must have personally witnessed the violation. Bring documentation: dated photos or video, a log of incidents (date, time, what happened), and any willing witnesses.
  5. Repeat or contested cases go before the Animal Matters Hearing Board, which can order corrective action, fines, or impoundment.
Documentation that helps
  • Date- and time-stamped photos or video — most phones add this automatically.
  • A simple log: date, time, duration, what the animal did, who witnessed it.
  • Note the owner and address if known.
  • Multiple incidents over time strengthen a nuisance case far more than a single report.

References: Howard County Animal Control Laws · Animal Matters Hearing Board

Medication disposal

Permanent drop-off locations maintained by Howard County Police:

  • Northern District Station — 3410 Courthouse Drive, Ellicott City
  • Southern District Station — 11226 Scaggsville Road, Laurel
  • Gary Arthur Community Center — 2400 Route 97, Cooksville

Loan Closet of Howard County

8775 Cloudleap Court, Suite 11, Columbia, MD 21045

410-313-0363

https://www.howardcountymd.gov/loancloset