Maryland Natural Resources Police and the Montgomery County Police Animal Services unit have charged two men and a juvenile with misdemeanor animal cruelty and illegal hunting charges in connection with a decapitated geese incident.
Evan E. Grodsky, 18, of the 18000 block of Walkers Choice Rd. was charged with animal cruelty, hunting waterfowl during a closed season and hunting waterfowl with an illegal device. Grodsky was also charged by the Montgomery County Police Animal Services Division with one civil citation of cruelty to animals.
Thomas T. Dunn, Jr., 20, also of the 18000 block of Walkers Choice Rd. was charged with two counts of each: animal cruelty, hunting waterfowl during a closed season and hunting waterfowl with an illegal device. Dunn was also charged by the Montgomery County Police Animal Services Division with two civil citations of cruelty to animals.
The charges were made after a tip from a confidential informant. The two men are believed to be part of a group of five unidentified adults who had a verbal altercation with a Lake Landing Road resident on May 28 at approximately 8:30 p.m. An unleashed dog belonging to one of the unidentified adults was chasing geese around the Community Ponds behind the residence.
The resident and her husband yelled to the adults to keep their dog leashed and to stop harassing the geese. A verbal altercation then ensued.
On May 31 at approximately 7 a.m., the residents found the carcass of a decapitated goose on their front doorstep. A second decapitated goose was found nearby on June 2.
The criminal charge for animal cruelty carries a maximum three-year jail sentence and/or a maximum $5,000 fine. Hunting waterfowl out of season carries a maximum penalty of $1,500. The penalty for the civil citation is $500 for each count.
Grodsky and Dunn were scheduled to appear before a District Court Commissioner this evening. The investigation is continuing.
Posted: 6-19-2001
