LEXINGTON PARK, Md. — A 48-year-old Lexington Park man faces multiple charges after allegedly stabbing a dog outside a residence, according to the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office. Corey Allen Barbour McDowney was arrested on March 25, 2025, following a disturbance call that led deputies to a home in the 21000 block of Exquisite Court.
Deputies arrived at the scene around midday Tuesday and discovered a dog bleeding on the front porch. McDowney, a resident of the home, told authorities he acted in self-defense, claiming the dog had attacked him. However, deputies noted no visible injuries on McDowney to support his account.
A second resident provided a different perspective. He told deputies that he and McDowney had a verbal altercation earlier that day. After the dispute, the witness left the house and entered a vehicle. From there, he said he saw McDowney bring the dog outside and stab it at least seven times. The witness added that the dog had been confined in a cage in his bedroom prior to the incident.
The injured dog’s condition was not detailed in the sheriff’s initial report, but the severity of the alleged attack prompted swift action. McDowney was taken into custody and charged with aggravated cruelty to an animal, unlawfully causing unnecessary suffering or pain to an animal, animal cruelty, and malicious destruction of property valued over $1,000. He was transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center in Leonardtown, where he awaits a bond hearing.
Maryland law takes animal cruelty seriously. Aggravated cruelty, a felony under state statute, carries a potential penalty of up to three years in prison and a $5,000 fine, reflecting the severity of intentional harm to animals. The additional charges against McDowney, including malicious destruction of property, suggest the dog’s owner may have reported its value or veterinary costs exceeding $1,000.
Authorities have not released further details about the dog’s ownership or current status, pending the investigation’s progress. McDowney’s arrest marks the latest in a series of animal cruelty cases across Southern Maryland, including a January conviction in Calvert County where a man was found guilty of stabbing his cousin’s dog to death after a family dispute.
As the case moves forward, McDowney’s bond hearing will determine his immediate fate. The sheriff’s office continues to investigate, ensuring all evidence—including witness statements and the dog’s condition—is thoroughly reviewed.
