Two Mechanicsville Women Face 104 Animal Cruelty, Unlawful Surgery Counts After Kennel Inspection

MECHANICSVILLE, Md. — Two Mechanicsville women were issued criminal summonses after animal control officials reported unsanitary kennel conditions, dogs with matted fur, sick puppies and alleged tail docking at a property on Woodburn Hill Road.

Magdalina H. Fisher, 60, of Mechanicsville, was charged with 60 misdemeanor counts, including dozens of animal cruelty charges and multiple counts of unlawful surgery on a dog.

Sarah H. Fisher, 20, of Mechanicsville, was charged with 44 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty/failure to provide.

The charges stem from an investigation involving a property in the 27300 block of Woodburn Hill Road in Mechanicsville, where animal control officials reported inspecting a commercial kennel and later executing a search and seizure warrant.

According to charging documents, officers with the St. Mary’s County Department of Emergency Services Animal Services Division responded to the property April 13, 2026, for a commercial kennel inspection.

During the inspection, officials reported that dogs and puppies were being housed in two outbuildings, including nursing mothers, puppies and other dogs that were not pregnant or nursing.

Animal control officials reported seeing multiple pens containing Cavalier puppies, Shih-Tzu puppies, miniature poodles and adult dogs. Charging documents describe matted and muddy areas, a strong odor of ammonia and urine, and flooring covered with wood shavings used to soak up feces and urine.

Charging documents state dogs appeared wet and dirty, and officials reported concerns about unsanitary conditions, including feces, urine and soiled wood shavings near the animals’ food and water.

Animal control officials also reported water bowls containing algae, damp bedding and free-fed kibble that had become caked or soaked with shavings and urine, according to charging documents.

The documents allege Magdalina Fisher admitted to performing procedures commonly known as tail docking and dewclaw removal on puppies using sharp pliers when the puppies were 2 to 3 days old.

According to charging documents filed in Sarah Fisher’s case, officials returned to the property May 6 with a search and seizure warrant. During that visit, Sarah Fisher was identified as the primary provider for the dogs. Court documents state she admitted to caring for dogs since she was 11 years old.

Charging documents state approximately 33 dogs and puppies were seized from the property and transported to the St. Mary’s County Animal Services shelter, where they were examined by veterinary staff.

During those examinations, animal control officials reported that some dogs required medical care. Charging documents state one dog had sores on her stomach that were bleeding and infected, while another had dirty ears, an injured tooth and skin discoloration.

Officials also reported puppies with nasal discharge, crackling lung sounds, eye discharge and matted fur. One puppy, identified in court records as Juno, had congenital defects known to the owner and did not accept bottle feeding, requiring euthanasia, according to charging documents.

The charges allege the Fishers failed to provide proper air, space, drink and necessary veterinary care for multiple animals. Magdalina Fisher is also accused of unlawfully docking the tails of multiple puppies.

Court records show a criminal summons was issued for Magdalina Fisher on June 17 and for Sarah Fisher on June 18.

A preliminary inquiry for both defendants is set for July 24 in St. Mary’s County District Court.

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