Los Angeles police have released body-worn camera footage depicting an officer fatally shooting a woman's dog, an incident that has ignited public outrage and prompted calls for an investigation. The dog, a 2-year-old Saint Bernard doodle named Jameson, was shot and killed by officers on Saturday evening.
The shooting occurred at approximately 8:55 p.m. when officers responded to a report of a woman screaming in an apartment located in the 7500 block of Jordan Avenue. Bodycam footage, released by the LAPD on Friday, shows an officer approaching the apartment door and identifying themselves. As the door opens, officers observe the large, barking dog. After initially unholstering his weapon and backing away when the dog barked, the second officer re-holstered his firearm when the door was closed by the resident, identified as Marie Marseille.
The footage then shows Jameson emerging from the apartment. An officer instructs Marseille to "put him in," but the dog moves down the passageway toward the second officer. The officer draws his handgun and fires four shots. Marseille's distressed cries of "No!" are heard as the dog falls to the ground.
The incident has drawn widespread condemnation, leading Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell to promise a thorough investigation. Mayor Karen Bass has also reviewed the footage and described it as "disturbing and tragic," calling for a review of officer training for such encounters. The neighbor who initially called police expressed remorse, stating she called out of concern for Marie Marseille's welfare and did not anticipate the situation escalating.
In a statement, Chief McDonnell acknowledged the profound personal loss associated with pets and stated that while LAPD officers face daily dangers, they are expected to exercise sound judgment and restraint. He assured that the investigation would carefully examine the officers' actions in light of departmental training, policies, and specific guidance on canine encounters.
Jameson's family, who were reportedly celebrating the Knicks' NBA Championship win at the time of the incident, have hired legal counsel. Their attorneys issued a statement condemning the police response as "completely unnecessary and profoundly dangerous." A GoFundMe campaign established for Marseille and her son has raised over $200,000.
