Charles County Animal Matter Hearing Board - September 16, 2026

The Animal Matter Hearing Board convened on September 16, 2026, at 4:00 PM to hear eight cases involving citations for animal control violations, including dog attacks, running at large, failure to license, and rabies violations. The board heard testimony from animal control officers, victims, and dog owners, and issued fines, abatements, and in one case, approved the euthanasia of a dog after the owner surrendered it. The meeting was audio and video recorded.

Consent Calendar

• No consent calendar items were noted.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made outside of the specific cases.

Discussion Items

Citation 7585 – Charles County Animal Control vs. Ninja Burgess (Charlie)

• Officer Schrader testified that on August 20, 2026, Charlie, a poodle-type canine, escaped a fenced yard and attacked another dog, Titan. The owner, Ms. Burgess, admitted the escape. Citations were issued for failure to license, running at large, lack of rabies proof, and potentially dangerous animal. Ms. Burgess testified she tried to license the dog but was redirected by the Humane Society. The board found her in violation of license ($50 fine), not in violation of animal at large, violation of rabies (zero fine), and violation of dangerous/vicious/potentially dangerous (potentially dangerous, $200 fine held in abeyance for six months). Abatements E1, E3, E4, E8, and G were imposed.

Citation 7586 – Charles County Animal Control vs. Watan D. Austin (Dice)

• Officers responded to a child attacked at a bus stop by two pit bulls on September 3, 2026. The child, Ethan, suffered multiple bites. Owner Mr. Austin testified that one dog (Iso) was not his and he would not reclaim Dice if it participated. He signed Dice over to the shelter. Chief Thomas reported Dice would be euthanized after quarantine. The board dismissed the citation.

Citation 7639 – Charles County Animal Control vs. Ricky Boswell (Duke)

• On August 31, 2026, Duke was found running at large across a highway. Officer testified that Mr. Boswell was educated but failed to provide license or rabies proof. The board found him in violation of license ($50) and rabies ($150), total $200.

Citation 7646 – Charles County Animal Control vs. Andre L. Brown (Kobe)

• Kobe, a pit bull, was impounded for the third time within 12 months for running at large. Owner Mr. Brown admitted he had no fence and used a shock collar. The board found violations of animal at large and third subsequent impoundment (230-12.6C), fine $150.

Citation 7671 – Charles County Animal Control vs. Destiny Haig (Zendea)

• On September 4, 2026, Zendea attacked a leashed dog (Sherlock) and bit the owner’s hands. Good Samaritan restrained Zendea. Owner Ms. Haig said she was not home and the dog escaped through a faulty screen door. The board found violations: license ($0), animal at large ($50), dangerous/vicious ($200), plus $210 impound fees. Abatements E1–E8 and G applied.

Citations 7647–7652 – Charles County Animal Control vs. James E. Cheney (Rascal, Buster, Cocoa)

• Three pit bulls (9-month-old siblings) escaped on September 1, 2026, attacked a neighbor’s dog, and then two escaped again during quarantine. Three citations for dangerous/vicious, two for animal at large/improper quarantine, one for third impound. Board found each dog potentially dangerous with $200 fine held in abeyance, and $200 in fines for quarantine violations (plus $690 impound fees). Abatements E1–E8 and G for each dog.

File 26-18 – Michaela Jones vs. Timothy Perez (Astro)

• On July 10, 2026, Astro, an Australian Shepherd, ran from its owner (Mr. Perez’s mother-in-law), bit Ms. Jones’ dog and then bit Ms. Jones on the finger. Ms. Jones is a Secret Service officer who required medical treatment. Mr. Perez requested a continuance to have his mother-in-law testify, which was denied. Board found violations of 12-5A1 (human bite) and 12-5A2 (domestic animal injury), $400 total, $300 held in abeyance.

File 26-19 – Robin Smith vs. Brian Tolliver and Vestan Nelson (two dogs)

• Ms. Smith complained that neighbors’ dogs repeatedly entered her yard, defecated, and the gray dog barked aggressively. Owner Mr. Tolliver stated the issue started after a fence was removed and that he put up a temporary fence after August 21. Board found violation of animal at large ($50) and defecation on private property ($50), not potentially dangerous.

Procedural and Policy Discussion

• Board members discussed the complexity of the citizen complaint form, which conflates “dangerous/vicious” and “potentially dangerous.” Chief Thomas and Deputy Director Mark Kaufman noted that if an animal injures a human, the board must find dangerous/vicious (no discretion), and the “potentially dangerous” designation is superseded. The county attorney’s office was asked to revise the form for clarity.

Key Outcomes

• Citation 7585: Ms. Burgess fined $50 for license; $200 dangerous fine held in abeyance; abatements imposed.
• Citation 7586: Dismissed after owner surrendered dog; dog euthanized.
• Citation 7639: Mr. Boswell fined $200 total.
• Citation 7646: Mr. Brown fined $150.
• Citation 7671: Ms. Haig fined $50 + $200 dangerous; $210 impound fees due; abatements imposed.
• Citations 7647–7652: Mr. Cheney owes $200 in fines plus $690 impound fees; $600 in fines held in abeyance; abatements for three dogs.
• File 26-18: Mr. Perez fined $400 (with $300 held in abeyance).
• File 26-19: Mr. Tolliver fined $100.
• All decisions are final and may be appealed to the circuit court within 30 days.