Animal Matter Hearing Board Meeting - March 3, 2026

The Charles County Animal Matter Hearing Board met on March 3, 2026, in the evening to hear four contested animal matters. The board approved the minutes of its February 17, 2026 meeting, heard sworn testimony from animal control officers, complainants, respondents, and witnesses, and issued findings that included fines, abatements, declarations, and euthanasia orders. All testimony was limited to three minutes; decisions are appealable to the circuit court within 30 days under Maryland rules.

Consent Calendar

• The board approved the February 17, 2026 meeting minutes by voice vote with no corrections.

Discussion Items

Citation 7560: Animal Control vs. Brittany L. Dorsey Rollins

• Officer Emmanuel Ingram testified that on February 23, 2026 he investigated a February 21, 2026 incident at approximately 6:45 p.m. in which Tisha Jones reported a loose black pit bull-type dog circling and lunging at her and her leashed dog Bronx. He issued citation 7560 for no individual license and dangerous/vicious/potentially dangerous animal.
• Tisha Jones testified that the dog ran toward her, jumped on her, and she struck it with her leash handle. She saw no puncture wounds, but Bronx’s neck fur was wet afterward.
• Brittany Dorsey Rollins said she was not present, had not heard the dog growl before, and had not yet obtained a Charles County license; she said she tried to license Biscuit that day but was told to return at 9 a.m.
• The board found Ms. Dorsey Rollins in violation of 230-10A (individual license, $50 fine) and 230-12.5 (potentially dangerous, $300 fine). The $300 was held in abeyance for one year, and the dog must be humanely muzzled when outside (abatement E5C). The motion passed by voice vote.

Citations 7566 and 7567: Animal Control vs. Jamal Lionel Rosier

• One board member recused from these cases.
• Officer Maggie Hayes testified that on March 2, 2026 she responded to a February 28, 2026 dog attack on Brown's Place in Indian Head. Mr. Starks testified his chained dog Jojo was mauled by two loose pit bulls, taken to an emergency vet, and euthanized due to injuries; the cost was $1,127.
• Video evidence showed Queenie and Bolo attacking Jojo for more than 30 minutes, from approximately 4:05 p.m. to 4:37 p.m. Vet records showed multiple bite wounds, puncture wounds, lacerations, blood loss, respiratory distress, and a ruptured bladder.
• Officer Hayes impounded both dogs. Mr. Rosier said he had been unable to feed the dogs for two days and they broke out; he argued the dogs were not aggressive but hungry. He had no current rabies certificates or county licenses.
• For Queenie (citation 7566), the board found violations of 230-10A ($50), 230-12 at large ($50), 230-9A rabies proof ($150), and 230-12.5 dangerous/vicious ($400); declared Queenie dangerous and vicious; ordered reimbursement of $95 impound fee; and ordered humane euthanasia under abatement F. Total $650.
• For Bolo (citation 7567), the board found violations of 230-10A ($50), 230-12 at large ($50), and 230-12.5 dangerous/vicious ($400); declared Bolo dangerous and vicious; ordered reimbursement of $95 impound fee; and ordered humane euthanasia under abatement F. Total $500.
• Both motions passed by voice vote. Mr. Rosier was advised of his 30-day appeal right; if appealed, the dogs would remain at the shelter. Fines and fees remain due regardless of appeal. A discussion about waiving fines in exchange for signing over the dogs did not result in a waiver.

Citation 7547: Animal Control vs. Matthew Scott Keyes

• Officer Hannah Neal testified that on February 17, 2026 at approximately 2:00 p.m., she investigated an attack on a dog named Duchess by a female pocket bully named Bella. Bella had escaped from Matthew Keyes, who was dog-sitting; ownership was disputed, and a rabies certificate was expired and listed another person. Bella was impounded pending the hearing.
• Matthew Keyes testified he had Bella for about three weeks, described her as old and non-aggressive, and said he would take responsibility for her. He was staying temporarily in a motel and planned to move to a residence in Waldorf; a witness provided the future address as 7A70 Marshall Corner Road, Pomfret, MD 20675, with a fenced yard.
• The board found violations of 230-12 at large ($50), 230-9A failure to provide proof of rabies vaccination ($150), and 230-12.5 (potentially dangerous, $200); declared Bella potentially dangerous; ordered reimbursement of $290 impound fee; and ordered all abatements except F, including compliance with specified conditions and not moving the dog out of the county without animal control approval.
• On a seconded amendment, the board held $300 of the $400 total fines in abeyance for six months, leaving $100 due. The motion passed by voice vote.

Complaint 26-01: Richard Payne vs. Alan and Gina Smith

• Richard Payne testified that his neighbors’ dog Rudy repeatedly roamed loose and defecated/urinated on his property near his mailbox over a period of years. He said he had asked the owners to address it and had medical stress concerns related to AFib. He submitted photos.
• Gina Smith testified that after receiving the complaint letter, she began taking the dogs out every time and using e-collars that buzz rather than shock, and apologized.
• The board found Alan and Gina Smith in violation of 230-12.4A1 (at large, $50) and 230-12.4A8 (defecation on private property, $50), for a $100 total; $50 was held in abeyance for six months. The motion passed by voice vote.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the February 17, 2026 meeting minutes.
• Citation 7560: $50 due; $300 abated for one year; Biscuit must be muzzled when outside.
• Citations 7566/7567: Queenie and Bolo declared dangerous and vicious; euthanasia ordered; fines total $650 and $500 respectively, plus $95 impound fee per dog.
• Citation 7547: Bella declared potentially dangerous; $100 due now, $300 abated for six months; $290 impound reimbursement required; abatements apply.
• Complaint 26-01: $50 due now, $50 abated for six months.
• All decisions remain subject to appeal to the circuit court within 30 days.