LEONARDTOWN, Md. — The police oversight committee has cleared two St. Mary’s County deputies of any wrongdoing in the fatal shooting of a dog during a February 18, 2024, altercation, concluding their actions were justified under department policy.
The decision was announced during the St. Mary’s County Police Accountability Board meeting on March 12, 2025, following a months-long investigation by the county’s Administrative Charging Committee (ACC). The committee determined the deputies acted appropriately while responding to a reported violation of a court-issued protective order at a Hollywood residence.
According to the ACC’s final report, when the deputies approached the home they were confronted by three aggressive dogs released from the back door. The homeowner later stated she had not realized law enforcement was at her front door at the time.
Body-worn camera footage reviewed by the ACC showed the dogs lunging at one of the deputies, knocking him to the ground and biting him multiple times. The deputy, who sustained a serious leg wound requiring 15 stitches, discharged his firearm twice, critically wounding one of the attacking dogs.
St. Mary’s County Animal Control later euthanized the injured animal on-site with the homeowner’s consent.
The ACC’s review concluded that the shooting was a justified use of force under Sheriff’s Office policy, which allows officers to neutralize an animal posing an imminent threat to human safety when alternative measures are unavailable. The board also cleared the deputies of allegations including trespassing, search and seizure violations, and use of profane language.
The investigation found that while the homeowner’s driveway had a gate barrier, she had previously allowed law enforcement access on multiple occasions and had not explicitly revoked permission. Given that history, the ACC determined the deputies were justified in approaching the residence without a warrant.
The incident was initially reviewed by the Sheriff’s Office’s Office of Professional Responsibility, which found no policy violations and recommended no disciplinary action. The ACC unanimously upheld those findings, stating that while the loss of the dog was unfortunate, the deputies’ actions were reasonable given the circumstances.
The ruling marks the conclusion of a case that stirred public debate over police use of force against animals. However, no formal complaint had been filed by the homeowner, and the investigation was initiated by the Sheriff’s Office on its own accord.
With the review complete, St. Mary’s County officials say no further action will be taken against the deputies involved.
Contact our news desk at news@thebaynet.com
“use of profane language” ?!?! Are you kidding us?? Some dog is chewing his leg off and you want to charge HIM for using profane language? Is this how we are treating our police force now? Maybe we should charge the people who accused the officer of using “profane language” with being insane and have them committed to a mental hospital instead. Now that makes more sense.