Rahtaunya R. Briscoe
Lexington Park, MD— On May 31, Animal Control Officer Owens responded to Windsor Drive in Lexington Park after an anonymous complaint was received.
Owens arrived on the scene to investigate and located an adult female dog chained to a tree in the back yard and two puppies lying in a cage. According to charging documents, “both puppies appeared to be deceased on the first inspection.”
Owens attempted to contact the homeowner and was met with hostility and no cooperation, so he requested police presence. Sgt. Young and Dep. Potter of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office then arrived on the scene to assist Owens.
Upon arrival, Potter found a female dog chained to a tree. Potter noted the dog appeared as if she had recently given birth. No water or food was discovered to be available in the area.
Potter then approached the female dog, and noticed her ribs were showing. The dog became aggressive as Potter approached. After a few minutes, she calmed down and even let Owens pet her. According to charging documents, “as he (Owens) touched her, she had her tail between her legs as if she were still frightened.”
Owens directed Potter’s attention to a small metal cage containing what appeared to be two dead puppies. They were lying next to each other and were covered in flies. There were feces and food all over the floor of the cage.
Owens noticed that one of the puppies was breathing. However, the other puppy had been dead for 24-48 hours due to “the way its eyes had sunk into its head already,” according to charging documents.
Owens took all three dogs from the residence. Young spoke to the suspect who was identified as Rahtaunya R. Briscoe, 36 of Lexington Park. Briscoe denied ownership of the dogs; she claimed another person dropped the dogs off and was supposed to have been coming back to feed them.
When asked why she did not care for the dogs, Briscoe replied, “I (Briscoe) don’t mess with dogs, and I don’t have time for that,” according to charging documents. Briscoe appeared indifferent about the condition of the dogs and quite annoyed that police were investigating.
Briscoe was advised that she would be charged with animal cruelty, and again seemed indifferent. Briscoe then asked if “we were done so she could go back to sleep,” according to charging documents.
Briscoe was charged with three counts of animal cruelty, three counts of failure to provide, restraining dogs without access to clean water and restraining dogs in an unsanitary condition.
At this time, Briscoe does not have a scheduled court date. Briscoe faces a maximum jail sentence of three years and three months and or a maximum fine of $13,000.
Contact Charles Seifert at c.seifert@thebaynet.com