Animal Welfare and Control Hearing Board votes to euthanize dog 'Beezy' after May 29 hearing
May 29, 2024 | Caroline County, Maryland
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The Animal Welfare and Control Hearing Board for Caroline County voted unanimously on May 29, 2024 to euthanize a dog named Beezy after hearing testimony about an April 18 incident and reviewing exhibits introduced by animal control.
Director Jacob Andrew, the board’s director of animal control, opened the public hearing and presided over testimony. Caroline County Animal Control Officer Diana Greenwood summarized the incident report and introduced Exhibits 1–12 into the record; board members then questioned her about the timeline and facts of the case.
Witness Luke Stottlemyer testified about the April 18 incident at his residence and answered board questions before leaving the hearing. Owner Joshua Riggins spoke later in the hearing, pleading for Beezy’s return and answering board questions about his permanent residence, financial ability and whether he could comply with any restrictions the county might impose if the dog were returned to his custody. Sharzia Rittenhouse, identified in the record as Mr. Riggins’s girlfriend, described Beezy’s demeanor and said the dog had a good nature.
Karen Culotta, director of the Caroline County Humane Society, told the board that Beezy displayed negative behavior while at the shelter and that visual assessment raised possible health concerns. Board members discussed those observations alongside the incident report and the owner’s testimony during deliberations.
After deliberation, Director Jacob Andrew moved to euthanize Beezy; Deputy Cody Rzucidlo seconded the motion. Each board member stated their reasons for the vote. According to the meeting record, the motion passed with all members voting in favor at 7:17 p.m.; the meeting was adjourned at 7:18 p.m. The record indicates Mr. Riggins and Ms. Rittenhouse exited the meeting while the board was voting.
The hearing minutes state that Exhibits 1–12 were entered into the record, but do not specify the exhibits’ contents in the minutes. The minutes also record questions asked of the owner about residence, finances, timeline and capacity to comply with restrictions; the board’s decision was made on the basis of testimony, shelter observations and the incident report as recorded in the meeting minutes.
Director Jacob Andrew, the board’s director of animal control, opened the public hearing and presided over testimony. Caroline County Animal Control Officer Diana Greenwood summarized the incident report and introduced Exhibits 1–12 into the record; board members then questioned her about the timeline and facts of the case.
Witness Luke Stottlemyer testified about the April 18 incident at his residence and answered board questions before leaving the hearing. Owner Joshua Riggins spoke later in the hearing, pleading for Beezy’s return and answering board questions about his permanent residence, financial ability and whether he could comply with any restrictions the county might impose if the dog were returned to his custody. Sharzia Rittenhouse, identified in the record as Mr. Riggins’s girlfriend, described Beezy’s demeanor and said the dog had a good nature.
Karen Culotta, director of the Caroline County Humane Society, told the board that Beezy displayed negative behavior while at the shelter and that visual assessment raised possible health concerns. Board members discussed those observations alongside the incident report and the owner’s testimony during deliberations.
After deliberation, Director Jacob Andrew moved to euthanize Beezy; Deputy Cody Rzucidlo seconded the motion. Each board member stated their reasons for the vote. According to the meeting record, the motion passed with all members voting in favor at 7:17 p.m.; the meeting was adjourned at 7:18 p.m. The record indicates Mr. Riggins and Ms. Rittenhouse exited the meeting while the board was voting.
The hearing minutes state that Exhibits 1–12 were entered into the record, but do not specify the exhibits’ contents in the minutes. The minutes also record questions asked of the owner about residence, finances, timeline and capacity to comply with restrictions; the board’s decision was made on the basis of testimony, shelter observations and the incident report as recorded in the meeting minutes.
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