The Charles County Animal Matters Hearing Board convened Jan. 20, 2026, in La Plata, addressing four citations involving dog attacks and escapes that raised concerns about pet ownership and public safety in the county. Chaired by Jim Sherman, the board reviewed cases of aggressive canines, imposing fines, abatement requirements, and declarations of dangerous animals while emphasizing compliance to prevent future incidents.
In the most severe case, Francois Fuentes of Rockville faced scrutiny over his 8-year-old Staffordshire Terrier mix, Diesel, which attacked a neighbor’s Husky in Waldorf on Christmas Day. The incident unfolded at 1709 Temi Drive when Diesel escaped from a nearby residence at 1710 Temi Drive, where he was being watched temporarily. Witnesses Robert Bethea and Sheila Watson described a chaotic scene: Diesel chased a guest’s small dog into another neighbor’s home at 1711 Temi Drive, then pursued Bethea and his leashed Husky, Nargo, into their garage. “Their dog ran into my garage… and started chewing and fighting with my dog,” Bethea testified, noting he restrained Diesel by the scruff, sustaining a bite to his hand while blood from Nargo splattered the driveway and vehicle. Nargo suffered multiple puncture wounds to his chest, leg, cheek, and back, requiring sedation and treatment at Waldorf Emergency Care. Diesel, impounded that night, later developed facial swelling and incurred $806.25 in veterinary costs, plus $435 in boarding fees at the Charles County Animal Care Center.
Fuentes, who was out of town, apologized but noted Diesel’s history lacked prior dog attacks, attributing escapes to temporary housing. Records from Montgomery County revealed multiple impoundments and a 2019 court-ordered neuter that remained unfulfilled, with Diesel unlicensed in several jurisdictions. The board declared Diesel dangerous and vicious, fining Fuentes $350 for the attack and $50 for animal at large, totaling $400. Fuentes must reimburse $1,241.25 in bills and comply with abatements including muzzling, secure enclosures, and signage. Animal control will notify Montgomery County authorities, where Diesel resides.
Another attack case involved Gina Evandorf of White Plains, whose black-and-white Pitbull-type dog, Taz, broke free from a chain and mauled Jennifer Gilliatt on Jan. 3 at 4025 Hanson Road in Indian Head. Gilliatt, Evandorf’s daughter, suffered a deep calf wound requiring 11 stitches and arm bruising as Taz lunged for her face. “He grabbed me by the back of the leg and took me down,” Gilliatt recounted. Evandorf explained Taz failed to recognize Gilliatt in a bulky jacket, insisting the dog was familiar with her and typically indoor-kept with camera-monitored outings. The board deemed Taz dangerous and vicious, fining Evandorf $50 for lacking an individual license and $700 for the attack, with the latter held in abeyance for 12 months pending no further incidents. Abatements prohibit chaining Taz outside unattended and require muzzling on leashes.
Pablo Rojas of White Plains was cited after his chocolate Lab-type dog, Rocky, broke through a fence on Dec. 31, 2025, invading a neighbor’s yard at 3641 Leffin Court and fatally injuring their Yorkie mix, Biscuit. Witnesses Angel Carvana and Tanya Miles-Carvana described Rocky degloving Biscuit’s hindquarters, tearing the urethra and exposing muscles, leading to euthanasia due to costs exceeding $25,000. This marked the third attack on Biscuit by dogs from the same household, though prior incidents involved Rocky’s mother. Rojas, who fortified the fence post-incident and now leashes Rocky outdoors, received a $50 fine for animal at large and $500 for dangerous animal, with $250 in abeyance for six months. The board declared Rocky dangerous and vicious, mandating abatements like secure housing.
In a recurring escape case, Jose Aguilar of Waldorf’s Chihuahua-Dachshund mix, Broski, was impounded for the third time in three months on Jan. 11 at Milstead Court. Aguilar’s son testified Broski slips out during mail retrievals but is mostly indoor. The board fined Aguilar $50 for animal at large, adding $320 in reclaim fees, warning of potential seizure if escapes continue. No dangerous declaration was made.