Two Los Angeles Police Department officers shot and killed a pet dog during a wellness check in Canoga Park [1].
The incident has raised questions regarding police conduct and the use of force against animals during routine emergency responses.
Officers were dispatched to an apartment building in the Canoga Park neighborhood of Los Angeles on June 13, 2024 [2, 4]. The deployment followed a 911 call from a neighbor who reported a woman screaming "Oh my God" for 20 minutes [5, 6].
During the response, officers opened fire on Jameson, a two-year-old Bernedoodle [1, 3]. Body-camera footage released by the department shows the dog was shot four times [7].
LAPD Capt. Mike Bland said the department is still reviewing the evidence. "Our understanding of the incident may change as this additional evidence is collected, analyzed, and reviewed," Bland said [8].
Bland said the department has not yet determined if the officers followed protocol. "We also do not draw any conclusions about whether the officers acted consistent with our policies until all the facts are known and the investigation is complete," Bland said [9].
The footage was released by the LAPD on the same day as a candlelight vigil for the dog [4].
“Two Los Angeles Police Department officers shot and killed a pet dog during a wellness check”
This incident highlights the volatility of wellness-check responses and the potential for escalation when officers encounter animals in high-stress environments. The release of body-camera footage serves as a critical transparency measure, allowing public and internal oversight to determine if the use of lethal force against a domestic animal was justified under department policy.
