Animal Matter Hearing Board Meeting - February 3, 2026

The Animal Matter Hearing Board convened on February 3, 2026, to hear two cases (citations 7499 and 7500) involving Kevin Reader's two cane corso dogs, Rocco and River. The dogs were cited for running at large and dangerous/vicious behavior after killing a neighborhood cat on January 12, 2026. The owner failed to appear. The board voted to declare both dogs dangerous and vicious, impose fines with partial abeyance, and refer the cases to the State's Attorney for failure to appear.

Consent Calendar

• The board approved the minutes from the January 20, 2026, hearing without corrections (motion by William Johnson, seconded by Christine Montgomery; all in favor).

Discussion Items

• Case 7497 (Withdrawn): Citation 7497 against Kevin Reader was withdrawn and not heard.
• Testimony for Cases 7499 and 7500:
  • Officer Amanda Brown (Charles County Animal Control) testified that on January 12, 2026, at approximately 15:15 hours, she responded to 1032 Koch High's Court, Waldorf, for loose cane corso dogs. A witness reported one dog killed a neighbor's cat. Officer Brown could not locate the dogs initially; a resident, Mr. Liggins, provided photos of the dogs in his yard (Exhibit 1) and showed the deceased cat with wounds on its abdomen and hind foot (Exhibit 3). The dogs later returned and were compliant when told to leave. Officer Brown then contacted Mr. Reader, who was unaware the dogs had escaped. The dogs were identified as Rocco (previously deemed potentially dangerous and vicious) and River, both one-and-a-half-year-old male neutered Brindle cane corsos. A gate on the property had an opening large enough for the dogs to push through (Exhibit 2). Officer Brown noted a prior compliance check on December 29, 2025, found Mr. Reader had met most requirements (rabies, license, neuter, microchip) but lacked a required dangerous dog sign; he was given time to correct that.
  • Lieutenant Katie Rochet testified she observed the gate and saw debris (pallets, stones) piled against an opening that did not latch correctly, suggesting the dogs pushed through.
  • The board questioned whether the owner had substantially complied with prior dangerous dog orders. Officer Brown confirmed the dogs were inside during the compliance check and she advised Mr. Reader to keep Rocco from free access to the yard.
  • The cat's owner was never identified.
  • Mr. Reader did not appear at the hearing and had not paid a previous $50 fine or the $300 fine held in abeyance from a November 4, 2025 hearing.
• Board Action on Case 7499 (Rocco):
  • Motion by William Johnson (seconded): Find Kevin Reader in violation of §230-12 (animal at large) – $50 fine; in violation of §230-12.5 (dangerous and vicious) – $250 fine; upgrade Rocco from potentially dangerous/vicious to dangerous and vicious; impose $150 of the $300 fine held in abeyance from the November 4, 2025 hearing; hold the remaining $150 of that abeyance in abeyance for 12 months from today; total $450 due (if present); refer to State's Attorney for failure to appear.
  • Discussion: Vice Chair Montgomery questioned holding any amount in abeyance given the owner's non-compliance. The motion was amended to impose $150 of the previous abeyance.
  • Vote: All in favor, none opposed, no abstentions. Motion passed.
• Board Action on Case 7500 (River):
  • Motion by William Johnson (seconded): Find Kevin Reader in violation of §230-12 – $50 fine; in violation of §230-12.5 – $250 fine; declare River dangerous and vicious; hold $125 of the $300 fine in abeyance for 12 months; order all abatements except F; refer to State's Attorney for failure to appear.
  • Vote: All in favor, none opposed, no abstentions. Motion passed.

Key Outcomes

• Rocco (Case 7499): Declared dangerous and vicious (upgraded from potentially dangerous). Total fine of $450, with $150 held in abeyance for 12 months (due if conditions violated). Referred to State's Attorney for failure to appear.
• River (Case 7500): Declared dangerous and vicious. Total fine of $300, with $125 held in abeyance for 12 months (due if conditions violated). Referred to State's Attorney for failure to appear.
• Abatements: For both dogs, all standard abatements were ordered except requirement F (likely sign posting, based on prior compliance issue).
• Next Steps: The owner faces potential prosecution by the Charles County State's Attorney for failure to appear and non-payment. The board adjourned after all business.