Animal Matters Hearing Board Meeting Summary - March 17, 2026

The Animal Matters Hearing Board of Charles County convened on March 17, 2026, to hear two civil complaints regarding animal at large and vicious animal violations. The meeting included approval of the previous meeting's minutes, procedural announcements, and a legal discussion regarding the board's authority over animal designations.

Meeting Preliminaries

• The meeting was called to order by Chair Matthew Koch.
• Board members introduced themselves.
• The minutes from the previous meeting were approved with one abstention.
• Testimony was limited to three minutes per speaker. Civility and decorum guidelines were read.
• Chief Jeffrey Thomas of Charles County Animal Control and Care was present to provide input.

Case 26-02: Evelyn Simmons vs. Kenya Hill

• Complainant’s Testimony (Evelyn Simmons): On January 1, 2026, at approximately 9 AM, Ms. Simmons was walking her leashed dog. Her neighbor's tan dog (Hazel) approached aggressively without a leash. When Ms. Simmons asked for the dog to be leashed, the neighbor responded with profanity and racial slurs. Ms. Simmons reported prior incidents, including two peace orders against the household, and stated she provided video evidence. She expressed a desire for the dogs to be leashed and supervised.
• Defendant’s Testimony (Kenya Hill): Ms. Hill acknowledged the dog got loose by slipping a harness. She maintained the dogs (Hazel and Chai) are small puppies and were not aggressive, merely barking. She stated she was in immediate pursuit of the animals.
• Outcome: The board found Kenya Hill in violation of 12.4A1 (At Large) on two counts, imposing a $50 fine per count ($100 total), payable within 30 days. She was found not in violation of 12.4A4 (Intimidation) and 12.5A3.

Case 26-04: Rhonda Wallace vs. Michael Watson

• Complainant’s Testimony (Rhonda Wallace): On January 26, 2026, at approximately 12:15 PM, Ms. Wallace was walking two leashed dogs (a Bernedoodle and a Treeing Walker Coonhound) with her daughter. A Dalmatian (Bertie) approached without barking or growling and attacked. It bit her daughter’s dog and then bit Ms. Wallace on the calf, causing her to fall. She required multiple trips to the emergency room for a hematoma and was at heightened risk due to a high platelet count.
• Defendant’s Testimony (Michael Watson): Mr. Watson was not present during the incident. He stated the dog escaped through an unlatched gate and maintained the dog is not vicious. He initially misstated the dog's age but later confirmed it was approximately 10 months old.
• Witness Testimony (Randall Wallace): Mr. Wallace, the complainant’s husband, witnessed the attack. He testified that Bertie was the clear aggressor and difficult to subdue, contradicting the defendant's claims about the dog's temperament.
• Outcome: The board found Michael Watson in violation of 12.4A1 (At Large) ($50), 12.4A4 (Intimidate) ($50), and 12.5A1 (Dangerous/Vicious - biting a human without provocation) ($500). A total of $600 in fines was issued, with $200 suspended for 12 months. The board also ordered abatements for Bertie. The net payable fine is $400 within 30 days.

Key Procedural Discussion

• The board debated whether an animal could be designated as “potentially dangerous” under Section 12.5C when it was not checked on the complaint form. Board Counsel clarified that the board is limited to findings on the checked violations on the citation but retains discretion over fines, suspensions, and abatements.

Adjournment

• The meeting was adjourned after the conclusion of the two cases.