Two Individuals Convicted on Animal Cruelty Charges in Queen Anne's County

Queen Anne's County, MD - Heather Elizabeth Loh and James Thomas Greene, III, have been convicted on multiple counts of animal cruelty following a dog hoarding investigation in Chester, Maryland. Both individuals entered guilty pleas in Queen Anne's County District Court on August 28, 2025.

The Hon. Frank M. Kratovil, Jr. sentenced both defendants on October 9, 2025, to 90 days in the Queen Anne's County Detention Center on each of the 16 counts of animal cruelty. The sentences were fully suspended with all counts running consecutively. The court placed Ms. Loh and Mr. Greene on 30 months of unsupervised probation.

The probation conditions require both individuals to obey all laws and prohibit them from possessing, owning, or residing with any animals except for two specified service or support animals. Animal Control Officers will conduct periodic unannounced checks on the two service animals throughout the probation period.

The investigation began on December 19, 2024, when Queen Anne's County Animal Control received a complaint about dog hoarding in the 300 block of Merganser Court in Chester. A witness had retrieved a dog from the residence that appeared to have been improperly cared for, prompting the initial report.

On January 29, 2025, Animal Control Officers and Queen Anne's County Sheriff's Office personnel executed a search of the residence. Officers seized 15 additional dogs from the property during the operation.

Upon entering the home, officers observed a strong odor of urine and ammonia throughout the residence. The dogs were discovered in various areas of the home and in dog crates that were covered in urine and feces.

All animals were removed from the residence and transported to Queen Anne's County Animal Services for veterinary care and evaluation. Assistant State's Attorney Caitlin Robinson prosecuted the cases.

Note: There was no photo available for James Thomas Greene, III.