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Board finds Franklin's dog Rocky dangerous after two attacks; $400 in fines with abatements ordered
Summary
The Bridal Matters Hearing Board found Kathleen Franklin's dog Rocky violated county animal rules after two attacks on a neighbor's dog, imposed $400 in fines with $300 held in abeyance for six months, and ordered an enclosure and other abatements.
The Bridal Matters Hearing Board on June 2 found that a dog named Rocky, owned by Kathleen Franklin, had injured another domestic animal and demonstrated a vicious disposition, and the board imposed fines and a set of required abatements.
Complainant Andrew Stark testified that his dog Scooby was attacked twice — on Feb. 7 and April 16, 2026 — resulting in puncture wounds and veterinary treatment. Stark told the board he and witnesses called animal control for both incidents and submitted reports. "Both times he was taken to the emergency vet," Stark said.
Franklin testified she was present for the second attack, that a door had been accidentally ajar and Rocky slipped out, and that she had since had the dog neutered and begun installing a 5‑foot enclosure. "I've got a fence installing this week," Franklin said, describing it as a 5‑foot enclosed area intended to keep Rocky from escaping.
Board members debated whether the citation language should reflect "potentially dangerous" or escalate to "dangerous and vicious" under Charles County Code §12.5 given two separate incidents. After legal clarification that the board may cite the full dangerous/vicious section when appropriate, James Sherman moved (seconded by another board member) to find Franklin in violation of 12.5(a)(2) (injuring or killing a domestic animal without provocation) and 12.5(a)(3) (animal with vicious nature/disposition) and not in violation of 12.5(c) (potentially dangerous). The motion imposed a total of $400 in fines with $300 held in abeyance for six months and a $100 payment due within 30 days, and required all relevant abatements, including construction of the enclosure and leash/interaction restrictions.
The board also recorded that animal-control officers would visit to confirm compliance with abatements and that the previously held $300 abeyance from February remains on the record and may be invoked if Franklin returns before its expiration. Board counsel advised the board on how the citizen form and the animal-control ticket use differing language, and suggested an administrative review of form wording in the future.
The board's action establishes payment and compliance deadlines and places Rocky under restrictions intended to reduce risk to neighbors and other animals.
