Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.
The Animal Matters Hearing Board convened on the evening of April 21, 2026, under Chair Matthew Cook. Board members introduced themselves. The minutes from April 7, 2026, were approved unanimously. Two citations were heard: a dangerous dog case involving a bite (Citation 7601) and a failure-to-comply case (Citation 7569).
Complainant Nastasha Taylor testified that on April 15, 2026, her neighbor's male American Bulldog, Riz, escaped its fence, entered her yard, and attacked her dog Apollo. Taylor was bitten while trying to separate the dogs. Animal Control Officer Donald Murphy confirmed the attack and noted that both dogs were licensed but Riz lacked a county license. Owner Terrence Cummings apologized, stating the gate may have been left unlatched by a gardener, and said the dogs had only escaped once before. The board found Riz to be dangerous and vicious. Decision: Violations of individual license ($0 fine), animal at large ($50), and dangerous/vicious ($300); total $350 with $200 suspended for 12 months. All abatements except F (show-related) were ordered.
This case involved Lex, a Belgian Malinois declared dangerous in June 2025 after killing a goat. Officers testified that Lex was left unattended in the yard (violating prior orders), was not spayed until February 2026, and lacked proper dangerous dog signage. Owner Cheryl Miles cited financial hardship and claimed a sign was posted but not seen by officers. The board determined she failed to comply with the prior order. Decision: Fine of $400; $350 suspended for 6 months; the remaining $50 suspended for 30 days pending verification of proper signage.
A scheduled briefing on a subcommittee regarding animal regulations was postponed to a future meeting.
Good evening. The Animal Matters Hearing Board meeting of April 21st will now come to order. The board has received and reviewed the minutes from our previous meeting, which I believe was April 7th, 2026. If there are no corrections, I will entertain a motion. The minutes be approved. I move to approve the minutes. Alright, is there a second? Second. All those in favor? Aye. All right. Due to the serious nature of these cases, the proceedings are being recorded or being audio and video recorded. Please turn off your cell phones and observe proper decorum. Decisions are made based on the quality and credibility of the evidence testimony offered, not the number of witnesses. All decisions of the board are final may be reviewed by the circuit court if an appeal is filed within 30 days in accordance with the Maryland rules of procedure. Please be mindful of the code of civility and refrain from any name calling and offensive language. Testimony will be limited to three minutes and relevant to the animal matters proceedings. Can I get a uh board members, please introduce yourselves beginning on my right? William Johnson, board member. Sergeant Cooney, Charles County Sheriff's Office Board Member. Dr. Michelle Quigley, veterinarian practicing in the county, board member. Matthew Cook, Chair. Christine Gonzalez, board member. James Sherman, board member. Karen Williams, board member. April Hodges, Humane Society of Charles County, board member. Linda Price Clerk. Madam Clerk, please call the first case. First item on our agenda this evening is citation 7601, Animal Control Services versus Terrence Charles Cummings. All right. Okay. Dr. Quigley recused. Please raise your right hand. Do you declare and affirm under penalty of perjury that the testimony you're about to give is the truth? I do. Please state your name for the record. Officer Donald Murphy, badge number 537, Charles County Animal Patrol. All right. Whenever you're ready, Officer Murphy. Thank you. Well, Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at approximately 1705, I received a call for service for an animal bite at Charles County Regional Medical Center in La Plata, Maryland. I made contact with Nastasha Taylor, who resides at 5783 Oak Forest Court in Indian Head, Maryland.