After dozens of dead animals were found in two houses she owns in Whiteford, Donna Bell, 59, has until Thursday to request an administrative hearing with the Harford County Health Department to address concerns that have forced the county to deem the two houses uninhabitable.
“It was a determined that neither house can be inhabited. There was a significant amount of animal fecal matter, and numerous dead dogs and cats … that the structures were posted as unsafe,” said Susan Kelly, director of environmental health for the Harford County Health Department of property at 2939 and 2949 Whiteford Road, both owned by Bell.
Kelly said a letter was mailed to Bell on May 15, informing her that both houses were deemed “a menace to public health” under Harford County Environmental Control Code. The letter also cited Bell for being in violation of the county?s building code, Kelly said Monday. Kelly said the county has received confirmation that Bell has received the letter.
“She does have the right to request an administrative hearing within 10 days [of May 15]. She may feel that what we are requesting is unreasonable, or she may have more information to provide to us,” Kelly said.
To Kelly?s knowledge, Bell had not filed for an administrative hearing as of Monday.
If Bell chooses to comply with the Health Department?s request, she will have to hire a certified licensed industrial hygienist which will recommend what Bell needs to do to make the houses habitable. Kelly said certified licensed industrial hygienists are independent of the county.
“If she chooses not to comply, she could choose to demolish the structures. If she does not comply, then the county and health department can take action against her,” Kelly said.
That action could take the form of misdemeanor charges for failing to abide by county code in district court.
“It?s our hope and our intention to get compliance,” Kelly said.
Bell has repeatedly declined to comment on the case.
