Charles County Animal Matter Hearing Board Meeting Summary – April 7, 2026

The Charles County Animal Matter Hearing Board met on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. The board approved the minutes from the March 17, 2026 hearing and then heard two animal control citation cases. No agenda or written minutes were available; this summary is based solely on the hearing transcript.

Consent Calendar

• The board approved the March 17, 2026 meeting minutes by voice vote, with no corrections, opposition, or abstentions recorded.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No separate public comment period appears in the transcript.

Case 1: Citation 7530 – Animal Control Services v. Joan Rasheen Green

• Lieutenant Katie Rocher (badge 530) testified that on March 18, 2026, at approximately 2:40 p.m., she responded to the 2300 block of Hope Circle in Waldorf for reports of a canine chasing people. She observed a gray brindle Cane Corso-type dog in the common area between two townhome buildings.
• A witness who did not attend the hearing told Rocher that a door-to-door salesman had to be pulled inside and the door shut to avoid the dog charging him; the salesman said the dog charged and tried to attack him and was about three to four feet away before the door closed.
• Rocher issued citation 7530 for failure to provide proof of a current county animal license, animal at large, failure to provide proof of a current rabies vaccination, and dangerous/potentially dangerous animal.
• The respondent, who identified himself as Juwan Rushing Green (the citation was read as “Joan Rasheen Green”), said he was not present for the alleged incident. He stated that Blaze, a three- to three-and-a-half-year-old dog, had never been aggressive, had only been loose once, and was normally kept with him. He said he had lived in the unit for eight years and has five daughters, including a four-year-old and 15-year-old twins.
• Mr. Green acknowledged he did not have current rabies vaccination or license paperwork, said he had not realized rabies boosters were needed, and stated he had an appointment that Thursday to get Blaze vaccinated and then obtain a license. He said losing Blaze “would kill me” and expressed willingness to do whatever was needed to keep Blaze and the community safe.
• During deliberation, one board member noted the lack of video or live witness testimony and questioned whether the abatements were excessive; another board member stated that the officer’s description of the dog’s behavior was convincing enough to support a potentially dangerous finding. The board also discussed the difficulty of meeting outdoor enclosure requirements in a townhome neighborhood without fenced backyards.
• The board declared Blaze potentially dangerous and imposed the standard abatements, while noting that some requirements would apply only if Blaze is kept in an outdoor setting.
• The motion initially calculated the fines as $450, but the board corrected the total to $500: $50 for individual license (230-10A), $50 for animal at large (230-12), $150 for rabies vaccination proof (230-9A), and $250 for dangerous/potentially dangerous animal (230-12.5). The board suspended $200 for 30 days pending proof of rabies vaccination and licensing, suspended another $200 for 12 months, and required Mr. Green to pay $100 within 30 days.
• The board ordered that Blaze be neutered and microchipped. Mr. Green was advised he could appeal to the circuit court within 30 days.

Case 2: Citation 7593 – Animal Control Services v. Daisy Dalcid Reyes

• Officer Cheyenne Buo (badge 534) testified that on March 24, 2026, at approximately 3:00 p.m., she responded to 2046 Abbey Court in Waldorf for a stray canine running through yards for about an hour. She recognized the dog, Kimba, contained her, and placed her in her truck.
• Reyes arrived and said Kimba had escaped through an open door. Officer Buo testified this was a fourth impoundment within the past calendar year; prior impounds occurred on May 1, September 18, and December 22, 2025.
• Citation 7593 was issued for running at large and third/subsequent impoundment within 12 months. Reyes was offered the choice to surrender Kimba or accept a citation and impound notice.
• Chief Jeffrey Thomas (badge 526) testified that the prior $500 impound fee had been paid down to $375, but no payments were currently coming in, and the Animal Care Center may require the bill to be paid in full before releasing the dog.
• Reyes, testifying through interpreter Jason, said a roommate living in the basement kept leaving a door open, allowing Kimba to run out. She said she wanted Kimba back and understood the current bill was $875. She stated the household now had a six-foot wooden fence to prevent future escapes.
• The board found Reyes in violation of animal at large and third/subsequent impoundment within 12 months, imposed a $50 fine for animal at large and no fine for the impoundment violation, and ordered her to reimburse the Charles County Animal Care Center $875.

Key Outcomes

• Citation 7530: Blaze was declared potentially dangerous. Total fines were set at $500; $200 suspended for 30 days contingent on proof of rabies vaccination and licensing, $200 suspended for 12 months, and $100 due within 30 days. Blaze must be neutered and microchipped. Mr. Green was informed of his appeal rights.
• Citation 7593: Reyes was fined $50 and ordered to pay the Animal Care Center $875. The board’s ruling was announced through the interpreter, and Reyes was given two weeks to pay the $50 fine.