Charles County Animal Matters Hearing Board Meeting - October 21, 2025

The Charles County Animal Matters Hearing Board convened on October 21, 2025, at [time not specified] to hear four citations involving alleged animal control violations. The board reviewed evidence, heard testimony from animal control officers, complainants, and respondents, and issued findings and orders for each case. One board member abstained from voting on the first case due to absence at the prior meeting.

Meeting Opening and Approval of Minutes

• The board approved the minutes from the previous meeting by voice vote, with three members (Karen Williams, William Johnson, and Sergeant Cooney) abstaining because they were not present at that prior meeting.
• The chair noted that proceedings were recorded electronically.

Case 1: Citation 7509 – Animal Control v. Mary Wood (Dog: Callie)

• Incident: On September 25, 2025, at 11440 With Comico Oaks Place, Charlotte Hall, the respondent's dog, Callie (adult black-and-white Catahoula Leopard Dog), bit guest Pete Ropeshaw on the face and jaw, causing multiple puncture wounds. The attack occurred inside the owner's home while the victim was sitting on a couch.
• Testimony: Animal Control Officer [name not stated] testified that the owner acknowledged prior unprovoked aggression toward men and two previous bite incidents (an Amazon driver in March 2024 and a SMECO worker in July 2024) that did not result in board action because victims did not file. Mary Wood testified she had engaged a trainer post-incident and expressed surprise, but the board noted the prior bites and questioned her ability to manage the dog.
• Vote: Motion passed (3 ayes, 0 noes) finding violations of:
  • §230-10A (individual license): $0 fine (license obtained after citation).
  • §230-12.5 (dangerous and vicious): $500 fine, with $400 held in abeyance for 12 months. Dog declared dangerous and vicious. All abatements (E1–E8, G) ordered except F.
• Outcome: $100 due within 30 days; animal control will inspect compliance.

Case 2: Citation 7527 – Animal Control v. Tammy Sue Robertson (Dog: Nala)

• Incident: On September 7, 2025, at 7170 Patients Place, Port Tobacco, respondent's pit bull-type dog, Nala, ran loose and attacked a leashed dog (Rusty) in the driveway of Sky Stone Street. No injuries to Rusty. A prior similar incident had occurred the previous year.
• Testimony: Victim Sky Stone Street testified this was the second time and that dogs from Robertson frequently roam. Robertson admitted the dog escaped while on a leash that got tangled, and she searched for over an hour; she accepted full responsibility.
• Vote: Motion passed (3 ayes, 0 noes) finding violations of:
  • §230-10A: $50 fine.
  • §230-12 (at large): $50 fine.
  • §230-12.5 (potentially dangerous): $400 fine, with $300 held in abeyance for 12 months. Dog declared potentially dangerous; no abatements ordered.
• Outcome: $200 total due within 30 days.

Case 3: Citation 7531 – Animal Control v. Akira Marie Brown (Dog: Tonka)

• Incident: On October 5 or 6, 2025, at 2734 Hammock Court, Bryans Road, Brown's Doberman Pinscher-type dog, Tonka, attacked a leashed dog (Draco) while it was being walked on the sidewalk behind Brown's townhouse. Draco suffered multiple bite marks on the neck, front legs, and mouth, requiring veterinary care.
• Testimony: Victim Stephanie Graves testified that Tonka had previously growled at her dog. Brown testified Tonka escaped through a screen door she thought was latched; she took responsibility and obtained a license after the incident. The dog is neutered and had interacted with the victim dog before without issue.
• Vote: Motion passed (3 ayes, 0 noes) finding violations of:
  • §230-10A: $0 fine (license obtained).
  • §230-12: Not in violation (at large charge dropped).
  • §230-12.5 (potentially dangerous): $100 fine. Dog declared potentially dangerous; no abatements ordered.
• Outcome: $100 due; Brown paid immediately.

Case 4: Citation 7538 – Animal Control v. Haskell Nicholas Campbell Jr. (Dog: Kane)

• Incident: On October 6, 2025, at 115 Pender Drive, La Plata, respondent's male, unneutered Cane Corso dog, Kane, allegedly bit Dominic Thompson (victim not present). The victim's aunt, Alita Johnson, testified she saw two small puncture wounds on the victim's buttocks after he said Kane bit him. Kane had previously bitten a trash removal employee on August 21, 2025, and was under quarantine then but was not up to date on rabies vaccination.
• Testimony: Animal Control Officer Donald Murphy testified Kane had multiple prior bite reports and was impounded. Johnson testified Kane ran loose regularly and she had to install a $20,000 fence for safety. Campbell claimed the victim was familiar with Kane and that he did not believe a bite occurred; he had not gotten the rabies shot. The board noted that because the victim did not appear and animal control never spoke to him, the evidence for this incident was weak but proceeded with the citation.
• Vote: Motion amended to potentially dangerous; passed (3 ayes, 1 abstention) finding violations of:
  • §230-10A: $50 fine. n - §230-12 (at large): $50 fine.
  • §230-9A (rabies vaccination): $150 fine.
  • §230-12.5 (potentially dangerous): $250 fine. $350 of $500 total held in abeyance for 12 months. All abatements ordered (except F) under §230-12.5.
• Outcome: $150 due within 30 days; also $295 animal care fees to be paid by noon October 22, 2025 to reclaim Kane or the dog becomes county property.

Discussion on Prior Incidents Not Resulting in Citations

• After the fourth case, the chief of animal control explained that whether a bite report leads to a citation is at the officer's discretion on a case-by-case basis. Officer Murphy of the prior incident had been aware of the first bite but chose not to issue a citation.

Adjournment

• The board voted to adjourn without further business.