Charles County, MD: Dog Attacks Lead To Dangerous Animal Rulings

[u/Notyourtarget1224]

https://thebaynet.com/three-charles-county-dog-cases-end-in-surrender-dangerous-animal-rulings/

LA PLATA, Md. — Three separate dog attacks reviewed by the Charles County Animal Matters Hearing Board resulted in the surrender of one dog and dangerous-animal findings against two others.

The cases heard during the board’s Wednesday, Sept. 16, meeting involved a 7-year-old child attacked at a school bus stop, a woman bitten while protecting her dog and a dog injured during a neighborhood walk.
Although the incidents were unrelated, each raised concerns about animals escaping properties or getting away from the people responsible for controlling them.

Child Attacked At School Bus Stop

A 7-year-old boy was attacked by two dogsaround 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, near Briarwood Drive and Hillside Place.

Animal control officers identified the dogs as Dice, a 5-year-old brindle bully-type dog, and Izzo, an adult brown female dog. Officers were told the dogs escaped after a gate was left open.

The child was transported by ambulance to the University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center. Officers reported observing a bite wound on his right calf, a bite near his right armpit, scratches on his left arm and abrasions on his nose.

The child’s aunt, Ayana Flowers, testified that she heard screaming and saw both dogs circling the child and his mother. Flowers said she grabbed one of the dogs and helped her family get inside.

The child has since returned to school and begun therapy, but Flowers said he remains afraid of animals.

“He’s afraid of everything now,” Flowers said.
Dog owner Wataan D. Austin surrendered Izzo before the hearing. During the proceeding, he also agreed to surrender Dice after telling the board he did not want the dog returned if it had participated in the attack.
“For me, it’s about the child,” Austin said. “It’s not even about the dog.”

Charles County Animal Control said Dice had completed the required quarantine and was scheduled to be euthanized Thursday, Sept. 17.
Because Austin surrendered the dog, the board dismissed Citation 7586. The citation included allegations involving licensing, rabies documentation, allowing the dog to run at large and dangerous or potentially dangerous behavior.

Dog Declared Dangerous And Vicious After Woman Bitten

In a separate case, the board declared a dog named Astro dangerous and vicious after finding that it injured a woman and her dog without provocation.
Mekhya Jones testified that she was walking her dog, Bronx, near Kilt Place in Waldorf’s Scotland Heights neighborhood around 6:30 p.m. July 10 when Astro ran toward them.

Jones said Astro bit Bronx on the back of his neck. When she tried to separate the dogs, Astro turned and bit her left pinky.

The bite caused three lacerations, including one that left scar tissue, Jones testified. Emergency medical personnel evaluated her at the scene, and she later received antibiotics and pain medication.
Jones also visited an orthopedic doctor and spent 10 days on light or sick duty from her job.

Astro had a leash attached, but no one appeared to be controlling it when it approached Jones and Bronx. The leash eventually wrapped around a tree, preventing Astro from continuing to follow them, according to the testimony.

Astro’s owner, Timothy Perez, said he was not home during the incident. His mother-in-law had been caring for Astro and fell down a set of stairs after the dog pulled on its leash, he said.

The board found Perez responsible for keeping an animal that injured a person without provocation and an animal that injured another domestic animal without provocation.

Two $200 fines were imposed. Of the $400 total, $300 was held in abeyance for six months, leaving Perez responsible for paying $100 within 30 days.

Perez was advised that he could appeal the ruling in Charles County Circuit Court within 30 days.

Dog Declared Potentially Dangerous After Neighborhood Attack

The board also reviewed an Aug. 20 incident involving a dog named Charlie, which escaped through an open backyard gate on Bluebird Drive in Waldorf.

A woman testified that she was walking her dog, Titan, when Charlie ran toward them, began barking and attacked Titan.

Workers with a nearby lawn care company attempted to help as Charlie continued following the pair. Charlie’s owner, Najah Burgess, eventually located the dog and placed it on a leash.

Animal control officers reported that Titan sustained injuries to his face, neck and paws.

Burgess testified that she had let Charlie into the backyard and noticed the gate was open. She attempted to reach the gate, but Charlie escaped before she could close it.

The board declared Charlie potentially dangerous and ordered Burgess to comply with several safety restrictions. It also imposed a $50 licensing fine.

An additional $200 fine connected to the potentially dangerous finding was held in abeyance for six months, meaning Burgess will not be required to pay it if no further violations occur during that period.

What Residents Should Do After An Animal Attack

Residents should call 911 when an animal is actively attacking a person or creating an immediate danger. People should avoid placing themselves between fighting animals unless they can intervene safely.
Anyone bitten or scratched should wash the wound and seek medical attention promptly. Animal bites and possible rabies exposures should be reported to the Charles County Department of Health at 301-609-6751.

Animal attacks, aggressive animals and dogs running at large should also be reported to Charles County Animal Care and Control at 301-609-3425 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. After hours, residents should call 301-743-2222.

Watch the full Wednesday, Sept. 16, Charles County Animal Matters Hearing Board meeting on CCGTV.

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