A Fort Washington man has pleaded guilty to attempted aggravated animal cruelty after abandoning a small dog in a dumpster outside a Calvert County elementary school last summer. Recardo Jerome Robert Futrell, 36, entered the plea on February 14, 2025, in connection with the August 11, 2024, incident at Mutual Elementary School on Ball Road in Port Republic. The case, which involved multiple charges, revealed disturbing details of the dog’s mistreatment and the events leading up to Futrell’s arrest.
The investigation began when a janitorial worker discovered a small dog, later identified as a Shorkie named Prada, inside a commercial-size dumpster at the school. The dog was found alive but in distress, with matted and wet fur and bright pink patches, possibly caused by exposure to cleaning chemicals in the dumpster. The dog also smelled strongly of urine, indicating it had been living in poor conditions before being abandoned. The worker immediately contacted the Calvert County Control Center, prompting an Animal Control response.
Animal Control Officer Bell-Bussler arrived on the scene and transported Prada to an animal shelter for evaluation and care. Meanwhile, detectives with the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation, reviewing surveillance footage from the school. The footage showed a black Ford Fusion entering the school parking lot around 6:00 p.m. on August 11. A short Black male wearing a white tank top was seen placing a shopping bag into the dumpster—later determined to contain the dog.
Investigators traced the vehicle to Futrell and determined he had been staying at a residence on Church Road, where Prada lived with his fiancée. Interviews with the residents revealed that Futrell had been alone in the home with the dog following a domestic dispute on the day of the incident. His fiancée, the dog’s owner, confirmed that Prada went missing while Futrell was at the house and later identified him as the individual in the surveillance footage.
On August 22, 2024, detectives visited Futrell at his parents’ home in Fort Washington, where he agreed to an interview. Initially, Futrell claimed that the dog had escaped from the house. However, when confronted with the surveillance footage, he admitted to taking the dog and leaving it in the dumpster. He stated that he acted out of anger following an argument with his fiancée, explaining, “I did it to hurt her because she told me I should kill myself.” Futrell also admitted that he had been drinking at the time and was not thinking clearly.
Four days later, on August 26, 2024, the District Court of Maryland for Calvert County issued a criminal summons against Futrell, charging him with eight counts related to animal cruelty. These included four counts of animal cruelty, two counts of causing or authorizing cruelty, and two counts of failing to provide proper care. Each charge carried a potential penalty of up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Futrell was initially scheduled for a preliminary inquiry on October 21, 2024. However, after months of legal proceedings, he ultimately pleaded guilty to the attempted aggravated animal cruelty charge. Under Maryland law, this offense carries a potential sentence of up to three years in prison and a $1,000 fine. His sentencing is scheduled for May 14, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. before Judge Mark W. Carmean.
Assistant State’s Attorney Christopher Monte, who prosecuted the case, emphasized the serious nature of animal cruelty and reiterated the importance of holding offenders accountable.
