La Plata Man Sentenced to Probation for Animal Cruelty

News Release # 2026-008

Friday, Jan. 23, 2026

Charles County Animal Control has announced that the subject of a June 2025 investigation was sentenced to probation for animal cruelty in Charles County District Court.

Brian Christopher Stine, 54, of La Plata, was sentenced to 18 months of unsupervised probation in Charles County District Court for one count of misdemeanor animal cruelty. In addition, Stine was ordered to pay more than $17,000 in restitution to the Charles County Animal Care Center.

Stine pleaded guilty to the charges on Jan. 9 and was sentenced the same day.

On June 27, 2025, Charles County Animal Control was called to the 8700 block of Bel Alton Newton Rd. in Bel Alton for reports of a dog running loose. The call also detailed that multiple dogs were being held in cages in the woods.

Animal Control found 11 hound- and beagle-type dogs, some of which were puppies, in kennels filled with approximately four inches of mud, excrement, and standing water. No dry or clean space was observed by Animal Control officers for any of the dogs. One of the dogs was found, restrained by a tangled tether, atop a trailer, restricting its mobility.

Due to these and other observed incidents of mistreatment, Stine surrendered the dogs to Charles County Animal Control, which transported them to the Charles County Animal Care Center, where they were held in protective custody. Many of the dogs were later adopted or rescued from the facility.

If you have concerns about animals in your community, please call Charles County Animal Control at 301-609-3425.

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