The Animal Appeals Board meeting held on May 16, 2025, in Carroll County, Maryland, focused on the case of a dog named Tucker, which had been deemed a vicious animal following an incident involving a bite to a child. The meeting began with the introduction of Dawn Kinnet Andrew, the Animal Control Administrator at the Humane Society of Carroll County, who has been in her position for 13 years.

Andrew detailed her involvement in the case, explaining that she received a complaint from a parent, Brian Crumplebacker, regarding the bite incident. She noted that the police had not forwarded any information about the incident to the Humane Society, prompting the complaint. During the meeting, Andrew referenced Chapter 90 of the Carroll County Code of Ordinances, which defines a vicious animal as one that poses a physical threat to humans or other animals.

The board reviewed specific sections of the ordinance, including the process for declaring an animal a public nuisance or vicious, and the rights of the animal's owner to appeal such a determination. Andrew explained that Tucker was classified as vicious due to the severity of the bite and the context of the incident, where children had previously played in the area, believing it to be safe.

A letter was sent to Tucker's owners, Natalie and Nick Farris, notifying them of the dog's classification as vicious and outlining the guidelines they must follow as owners of a vicious animal. Andrew confirmed that she prepared the letter, which was signed by Karen Baker, the director of the Humane Society.

The meeting concluded with the board accepting the presented documents as evidence and discussing the implications of the case for the community and the owners. The next steps in the appeal process were also addressed, ensuring that all parties understood their rights and responsibilities moving forward.