Charles County Animal Matters Hearing Board Meeting

February 17, 2026

Meeting Opening

• The meeting commenced shortly after 7:00 PM. The board unanimously approved the minutes from the February 3, 2026 meeting. The chair reminded all participants of the serious nature of the proceedings, audio/video recording, decorum rules, three-minute testimony limit, and the 30-day appeal window to circuit court.

Case 1: Citations 7481 & 7591 – Animal Control vs. Inga Simone Harrison

• Incident Summary: On January 30, 2026, at approximately 4:07 PM, officers responded to 1104 Cornell Lane, Waldorf, MD for a report of two pitbull‑type canines attacking a rooster. The owner, Inga Harrison, initially refused to surrender the second dog (Penelope) and later admitted Penelope was moved out of Charles County to avoid impound.
• Witness Testimony: Officer Shania Brewer and Officer Donald Murphy testified. Blanca Selaya (neighbor) recounted the attack on her rooster, stating her children were terrified. Ms. Selaya expressed fear the dogs might harm her children or small dog.
• Respondent's Statement: Ms. Harrison claimed the rooster’s owner threatened to kill her dogs, that no child was bitten, and that she moved Penelope out of fear. She stated she offered to bring Penelope to the hearing but was not willing to surrender the dog to animal control.
• Board Findings for 7481 (Penelope):
  • Violation of 230‑6B (interference with animal control officer): $250 fine.
  • Violation of 230‑12 (animal at large): $50 fine.
  • Violation of 230‑10A (county license): $0.
  • Violation of 230‑9A (rabies proof): $0.
  • Violation of 230‑12.5 (dangerous/vicious/potentially dangerous): $300 fine – held in abeyance for six months contingent on compliance with all abatements (E1‑E5, E6, E7, E8, G).
  • Total fines: $600 (with $300 suspended).
• Board Findings for 7591 (Peppa):
  • Violation of 230‑10A (license): $0.
  • Violation of 230‑12 (animal at large): $50.
  • Violation of 230‑9A (rabies): $0.
  • Violation of 230‑12.5 (dangerous/vicious/potentially dangerous): $300 – held in abeyance for six months.
  • Third impound within 12 months (230‑12.6C): noted; Ms. Harrison must reimburse the Charles County Animal Care Center $590 for Peppa’s impound.
  • Peppa declared potentially dangerous; abatements E1‑E8 and G apply.

Case 2: Citations 7564 & 7565 – Animal Control vs. Robert Anthony Parnell, Jr.

• Incident Summary: On January 2, 2026, at approximately 2:50 PM, two canines (Blaze and Bonnie) charged at Betty Joe McClendon and her leashed dog, Mina, at 425 Doncaster Drive, Indian Head. The dogs came from a different residence (4185 Doncaster) and were at large. Video evidence (Exhibit 1) showed the charge; no bites but saliva on Mina and a scratch on McClendon’s coat (skin not broken).
• Witness Testimony: Betty Joe McClendon described fearing for her life. Susan Cutlip (neighbor) confirmed the aggressive behavior and stated this was not the first incident.
• Respondent's Statement: Robert Parnell and his wife Kharka Barnell acknowledged the dogs escaped through a broken fence gate (now repaired). They denied previous aggression and said the dogs chased a cat. They apologized and presented proof of current rabies vaccination and licenses purchased after the incident.
• Vaccination/License Status: Officer Atainman provided proof (Exhibit) that both dogs had current rabies vaccination and county licenses as of the hearing date.
• Board Findings for 7564 (Blaze):
  • Violation of 230‑10A (license): $0.
  • Violation of 230‑12 (animal at large): $50.
  • Violation of 230‑9A (rabies): $0.
  • Violation of 230‑12.5 (potentially dangerous): $250 – held in abeyance for 12 months.
  • Blaze declared potentially dangerous; abatements E3, E4, E5, and E7 apply.
• Board Findings for 7565 (Bonnie):
  • Same violations and fines as Blaze, except E6 (spay) added for Bonnie (E3, E4, E5, E6, E7).
  • Total fine per citation: $300 (with $250 suspended).

Case 3: Citation 7575 – Animal Control vs. Jacinda Page Modeste

• Incident Summary: On January 30, 2026, at 7:20 PM, Officer Brewer responded to 11 Washington Avenue, La Plata, and impounded a pitbull‑type canine named Vilo. This was the third impound within 12 months (previous: February 26 and July 9, 2025).
• Respondent's Status: Ms. Modeste was not present. She had been notified and waived the 14‑day notice, but did not appear. Officer Brewer testified she contacted Ms. Modeste on February 3, 2026.
• Board Findings (in absentia):
  • Violation of 230‑12 (animal at large): $50.
  • Violation of 230‑9A (rabies proof): $150.
  • Third impound (230‑12.6C): noted; reimbursement of $610 to the animal care center required.
  • Referred to State’s Attorney's Office for failure to appear.

Case 4: Citation 7576 – Animal Control vs. Phyllis Elizabeth Hill

• Incident Summary: On January 31, 2026, at 11:23 PM, Officer Brewer responded to 11245 Mount Victoria Road, Newburg, for two stray pitbull‑type canines. One, Bino, was previously declared dangerous and vicious on April 15, 2025. The second dog (Sheba) was reclaimed; Bino was impounded.
• Witness Testimony: Charlotte Bonhart testified she took the dogs in from the cold (20°F) and called animal control. Officer Brewer noted a dangerous dog sign was visible at Ms. Hill’s property.
• Respondent's Statement: Ms. Hill and her son Devontae Thomas testified that the dogs dashed out the door unexpectedly. They searched extensively and cooperated with animal control. Bino’s rabies vaccine had expired (July 2025). Ms. Hill stated she would get Bino vaccinated upon release.
• Board Findings:
  • Violation of 230‑12 (animal at large): $50.
  • Violation of 230‑9A (rabies): $0 (benefit of doubt).
  • Violation of 230‑12.5 (failure to comply with dangerous animal regulations): $250 – held in abeyance for six months.
  • Reimbursement of $295 to the animal care center required.
  • Bino remains classified as dangerous; all previous abatements (including neutering) must be satisfied.

Case 5: Citations 7589 & 7590 – Animal Control vs. Heather D'Angelo

• Incident Summary: On February 4, 2026, at 7:32 PM, Officer Brewer responded to 13950 North Star Place, Bryans Road, and impounded three pitbull‑type canines from a garage. Two dogs (Bella and White) were third impounds within 12 months (previous: August 10, 2025 and January 23, 2026). The third dog was reclaimed without citation.
• Respondent's Statement: Ms. D’Angelo cooperated, acknowledged the violations, and provided proof of current rabies vaccination. Officer Brewer withdrew rabies and license charges based on evidence.
• Board Findings for 7589 (Bella):
  • Violation of 230‑12 (animal at large): $50.
  • Third impound (230‑12.6C): noted; reimbursement of $440.
• Board Findings for 7590 (White):
  • Identical to 7589: $50 fine + $440 reimbursement.
• Failure to Appear Waived: The board waived the FTA because Ms. D’Angelo gave prior notice and evidence of good faith.

Administrative Notes

• The board noted an upcoming subcommittee administrative meeting on February 24, 2026, to be held virtually (or in‑person if requested). Board members were asked to submit agenda items.
• No additional citations were on the agenda. The meeting adjourned after the last case.

Key Outcomes

• Total fines levied (excluding impound fees):
  • Harrison: $600 total (of which $600 suspended conditionally).
  • Parnell: $600 total (of which $500 suspended).
  • Modeste: $200 fine + referral.
  • Hill: $300 total (of which $250 suspended).
  • D’Angelo: $100 total.
• Reimbursement fees: Harrison ($590), Modeste ($610), Hill ($295), D’Angelo ($880 total for two dogs).
• Declared dangerous/vicious: Peppa, Blaze, Bonnie (potentially dangerous); Bino (dangerous).
• Abeyance conditions: Six months for Harrison and Hill; 12 months for Parnell; with specific abatements per case.
• Referral to State’s Attorney: Jacinda Page Modeste for failure to appear.