Germantown woman fined for pit bull attack against a poodle

The owner of the pit bull that attacked a Lhasa apso-poodle in March was ordered to pay additional fines last week.

Julia Waters-Koroma of the 20300 block of Thunderhead Way in Germantown, was found guilty for having an unlicensed dog, allowing the dog to run at large and for letting the dog have unwanted contact, according to records at District Court in Silver Spring.

The ruling came Tuesday, May, 3, against Waters-Koroma, who had been found guilty earlier this year on charges pressed by the dog's owner, Jane Smith. According to Maryland court records, Waters-Koroma was cited in 2007 for similar infractions.

While Smith was preparing for her day in court, Greg and Beverly Hoffmaster were recalling a similar incident involving their bichon, Magic.

Beverly Hoffmaster was walking her dogs as well as a friend's dog in her Stratford Knolls neighborhood on April 25, when a female pit bull escaped from its owner's property and attacked and severely injured Magic, according to Greg Hoffmaster.

Greg Hoffmaster said the pit bull charged from a few houses away. The other two dogs were unharmed. The Italian greyhound that belonged to a friend ran home after Beverly unleashed her in an effort to protect her other bichon, Maisy.

Magic suffered inures to the stomach and throat was rushed to the emergency room at VCA Animal Hospital in Gaithersburg. Magic’s medical bills were nearly $11,000 after extensive surgery and post-operating expenses, according to Greg.

"Thank goodness he's alive and well now," Greg said. It's a small miracle. He's made a remarkable recovery."

The pit bull was put down Monday, May 1. Its owner, Richard Dorsey, of the 11500 block of Scottsburg Terrace, was issued several citations, including a $500 citation for failing to provide proof of a current rabies vaccination, according to police reports.

Greg Hoffmaster said he has not spoken to Dorsey since the initial incident, but said that Dorsey seemed to be apologetic.

Neither Dorsey or Waters-Koroma could be reached for comment.

Smith said Waters-Koroma had shown “signs of compassion" since the incident and has paid for her dog’s medical bills. She has even come by the Smith's house to see Penny to see how she was recovering, Smith said.

Greg Hoffmaster said that the community has been very supportive of his ordeal and that they have set up a fund to help pay for Magic's medical bills -- Help Heal Magic. He said that act of kindness from others have spurred him to want to do more.

"Magic is going to get better, but I'd like to do something on a larger scale," he said. "I'm trying to do something to help people. We definitely want to do something to help people who have gone through something like this."