Charles County Animal Matter Hearing Board Meeting Summary

Charles County Animal Matter Hearing Board Meeting — September 2, 2026

The Charles County Animal Matter Hearing Board convened on September 2, 2026, to review testimony related to animal nuisance complaints, beginning with approval of prior meeting minutes and proceeding to a contested case regarding a neighbor's dog.

Consent Calendar

• August 4th Minutes: Approved unanimously by voice vote (all in favor, no opposition or abstentions noted).
• August 18th Minutes: Approved unanimously by voice vote (all in favor, no opposition or abstentions noted).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Hassan Gondal (Complainant, case 26-15): Testified under oath regarding a neighbor dispute involving Esmeralda and Jose Gonzalez's dog. He stated that the dog has attacked and killed his rabbits multiple times, including an incident approximately two years prior that was apologized for by Ms. Gonzalez. He testified that this year, animal control was called multiple times, they suggested he file a formal complaint, and that he has called them several times. He described the dog damaging a rabbit cage, roaming his property, and described a specific late-night incident in April when he returned home around 10-11 PM and found the dog near the rabbit cage. He also stated his seven-year-old child is afraid to go outside because the dog barks, and his wife fears customers cannot approach her small business stand. He said he has no problem with the dog, only wants them to contain it. He also stated other neighbors have called animal control on them several times, and that animal control has left a cage at their property in the past to catch the dog. Under questioning, he testified the dog urinated on the driveway, that it barks at all times of day and night, and that a photo of the dog at the rabbit hutch was from April 17th to 19th of this year (no date on photo).