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Record of Proceedings

Charles County Animal Matters Hearing Board Meeting - December 16, 2025

County Commissioners & Boards — Tuesday, December 16, 2025
BodyCharles County, Maryland
SessionCounty Commissioners & Boards
DateTuesday, December 16, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 55:27

Original source
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Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Speaker 1

0:29

Good evening.

Unassigned speaker

0:30

Uh uh.

Speaker 2

0:32

Good evening.

0:33

The Animal Matters Hearing Board meeting of December 16th will now come to order.

0:37

Board has received and reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting.

0:40

If there are no corrections, I'll entertain a motion.

0:43

The minutes be approved.

Unassigned speaker

0:44

I move the appropriate approve the minutes.

Speaker 2

0:46

Second.

0:47

All those in favor?

0:49

All right.

0:50

Due to the serious nature of these cases, proceedings are being recorded electronically.

0:54

Please turn off your cell phones and observe proper decorum.

0:57

Decisions are made based on the quality and credibility of the evidence and testimony offered, not the number of witnesses.

1:03

All decisions of the board are final and may be reviewed only by the circuit court.

1:07

And the PO is filed in accordance with the Maryland rules of procedure.

1:11

Please be mindful of the code of civility and refrain from any name calling and offense of language.

1:16

Testimony will be limited to three minutes and relevant to the animal matters proceeding.

Unassigned speaker

1:20

Can

Speaker 2

1:21

I get a roll call starting from the right place?

1:23

William Johnson, board member.

Speaker 1

1:25

Sergeant Cooney, Charles County Sheriff's

Speaker 2

1:27

Office Board Member.

1:28

Matthew Cook, Chair.

Speaker 3

1:29

Christine Gonzalez, board member.

Speaker 2

1:31

James Sherman, board member.

Speaker 3

1:33

Dr.

1:33

Michelle Quigley, veterinarian practicing

Speaker 4

1:36

in the county.

1:36

Sorry.

Unassigned speaker

1:37

Linda

Speaker 3

1:38

Price Clerk.

Unassigned speaker

1:39

Sorry, that's the afternoon.

Speaker 2

1:41

All right.

1:42

Madam, are we doing your thing afterwards?

Unassigned speaker

1:44

Okay.

Speaker 2

1:45

After.

1:45

Okay.

1:46

Madam Clerk, please call the first case.

Speaker 3

1:48

First item on our agenda this evening is citations 7492 and 7493.

1:52

Animal Control Services versus Angela Tawan Murray.

Unassigned speaker

2:04

Do

Speaker 3

2:04

you declare and affirm under penalty of perjury that the testimony you're about to give is the truth?

2:09

I do.

2:09

Please

Speaker 5

2:09

state your name for the record.

2:11

Officer Myra Teaman, badge number 533, Charles County Animal Control.

Speaker 2

2:15

Whenever you're ready.

Speaker 5

2:17

On Monday, December 1st, 2025, at approximately 11:40 hours, I made contact with Miss Christina Jordan by phone regarding an incident that I had observed posted on the Lost and Found Pets of Southern Maryland Facebook page.

2:34

Between her cat and two straight canines.

2:53

He was taken to pause in Indian Head where he was humanely euthanized due to his injuries.

Speaker 6

3:37

Yes.

Speaker 3

3:38

Please state your name for the record.

Speaker 6

3:41

William Sr.

Speaker 7

3:42

Christina

Unassigned speaker

3:43

Jordan.

Speaker 6

3:43

Whenever you're ready.

Speaker 7

3:46

Okay.

3:46

I'm nervous.

3:49

The day before Thanksgiving.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Animal Welfare█████████████████████████████████████████████83%
Procedural█████10%
Public Safety████7%
Summary of Proceedings

Charles County Animal Matters Hearing Board Meeting - December 16, 2025

The Animal Matters Hearing Board convened on December 16, 2025, to adjudicate two cases involving dogs running at large and aggressive behavior. The board heard testimony from animal control officers, witnesses, and the dogs' owners. The meeting also included an update on board compensation and the adoption of resolutions of appreciation.

Meeting Opening

  • The meeting was called to order by Chair Matthew Cook.
  • Roll call was taken with members William Johnson, Sergeant Cooney (CCSO), Matthew Cook, Christine Gonzalez, James Sherman, Dr. Michelle Quigley, and Clerk Linda Price present.
  • Minutes from the previous meeting were approved unanimously.

Case 1: Citations 7492 & 7493 – Animal Control vs. Angela Tawan Murray

  • Charges: Two German Shepherds, Ghost (7492) and Ace (7493), were cited for running at large, lacking individual licenses, and being dangerous/vicious canines after killing a cat named Socks.
  • Testimony: Officer Myra Teaman investigated the incident from a Facebook post. Christina Jordan testified the dogs shook her cat 'like a tug of war,' leading to its euthanasia. William Sr. positively identified the dogs. Angela Murray took full responsibility, stating the dogs dug under the fence. She admitted to waiting three days to report them missing. Lt. Katie Rochet provided rabies and license records.
  • Outcomes: Both dogs were deemed dangerous and vicious. Fines of $250 per citation ($50 animal at large, $200 dangerous/vicious) were imposed. The $200 portion was held in abeyance for six months. Abatements under Regulation 230-12.5 (E1, E2, E3, E4, E5A, 5B, 5C, E6, E7, E8, and G, excluding F) are required.

Case 2: Citations 7494 & 7495 – Animal Control vs. Elizabeth Ann Smith

  • Charges: Two Rottweilers, Lady Cupcake (7494) and Banks (7495), were cited for running at large. Cupcake had a prior dangerous and vicious designation from 2018.
  • Testimony: Joseph Leotino testified the dogs chased him into his car, describing their behavior as aggressive and noting proximity to an elementary school. Officers Cheyenne Boo and Amanda Brown responded. Officer Teaman noted a prior loose dog incident in October 2025. Elizabeth Smith testified the dogs escaped due to a gate left open by workers, describing them as friendly family dogs, and stated locks had been installed. She waived her right to a 14-day notice.
  • Outcomes: Cupcake was found in violation of the dangerous/vicious regulations. Banks was declared a potentially dangerous canine. Fines of $250 per citation ($50 animal at large, $200 violation/designation) were imposed with $200 held in abeyance for six months. A reclaim fee of $265 is due by noon on December 17, 2025. Abatements are required for Banks.

Compensation Commission Update

  • The resolution for annual stipends for board members has been adopted. The implementation timeline is pending local legislation.

Administrative Communications

  • Resolution 2025-01: Expressed appreciation to Animal Care and Control for their professionalism. Adopted unanimously.
  • Resolution 2025-02: Expressed appreciation to Clerk Linda Price for her organizational skills and dedication. Adopted unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • Fines: Total of $200 in immediate fines payable to the county within 30 days.
  • Designations: Three animals (Ghost, Ace, Cupcake) were subject to dangerous/vicious declarations. Banks was declared potentially dangerous.
  • Compliance: Animal control will conduct follow-up inspections for abatements. Non-compliance may result in additional penalties.
  • Votes: All motions were passed unanimously by the board.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. Uh uh. Good evening. The Animal Matters Hearing Board meeting of December 16th will now come to order. Board has received and reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting. If there are no corrections, I'll entertain a motion. The minutes be approved. I move the appropriate approve the minutes. Second. All those in favor? All right. Due to the serious nature of these cases, proceedings are being recorded electronically. Please turn off your cell phones and observe proper decorum. Decisions are made based on the quality and credibility of the evidence and testimony offered, not the number of witnesses. All decisions of the board are final and may be reviewed only by the circuit court. And the PO is filed in accordance with the Maryland rules of procedure. Please be mindful of the code of civility and refrain from any name calling and offense of language. Testimony will be limited to three minutes and relevant to the animal matters proceeding. Can I get a roll call starting from the right place? William Johnson, board member. Sergeant Cooney, Charles County Sheriff's Office Board Member. Matthew Cook, Chair. Christine Gonzalez, board member. James Sherman, board member. Dr. Michelle Quigley, veterinarian practicing in the county. Sorry. Linda Price Clerk. Sorry, that's the afternoon. All right. Madam, are we doing your thing afterwards? Okay. After. Okay. Madam Clerk, please call the first case. First item on our agenda this evening is citations 7492 and 7493. Animal Control Services versus Angela Tawan Murray. Do you declare and affirm under penalty of perjury that the testimony you're about to give is the truth? I do. Please state your name for the record. Officer Myra Teaman, badge number 533, Charles County Animal Control. Whenever you're ready. On Monday, December 1st, 2025, at approximately 11:40 hours, I made contact with Miss Christina Jordan by phone regarding an incident that I had observed posted on the Lost and Found Pets of Southern Maryland Facebook page. Between her cat and two straight canines.

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