Baltimore Co. might muzzle pit bulls

Baltimore County could be the first among local governments to impose significant restrictions on pit bull owners under a proposal that requires the dogs to be kept in a locked cage or muzzled.

The proposal was motivated by pit bull attacks that left one dog dead and two boys seriously injured this year, said Councilman Vince Gardina, a Perry Hall Democrat who is sponsoring the legislation. If approved, the legislation would require pit bulls to be kept in a wire-mesh enclosure at all times and muzzled when in public. The county also will charge a $100 annual license fee, conduct inspections of homes with pit bulls and require owners to purchase insurance for them.