They screamed with joy over a big basketball win. Then police shot their family dog.

A family is mourning their dog Jameson after police responded to a noise call during a New York Knicks championship party.

Home should be the safest place to celebrate our happiest moments. But a sudden knock on the door can turn a night of pure joy into a lifetime of heartbreak.

WHAT HAPPENED

On Saturday night, a family in Canoga Park was cheering. The New York Knicks had just won the big game. A woman was screaming with pure joy inside her condo on Jordan Avenue.

A neighbor heard the loud noise just after 8 p.m. and worried that someone was in danger. They called 911 to ask police to check on the home.

Los Angeles police officers arrived at the building. Moments later, the family dog, a two-year-old mix named Jameson, was shot and killed in the hallway.

What the evidence shows

• A neighbor called 911 just after 8:00 p.m. to report screams.
• Jameson was a two-year-old golden retriever, Saint Bernard, and poodle mix.
• A photo shows Jameson wearing a New York Knicks shirt just before the shooting.
• Cellphone video shows the owner crying in the hallway where the dog died.
• Police say the dog ran at officers before they fired.

THE BIGGER QUESTION

How do we train our police to handle tense calls without using guns? Dogs are part of our families, and they guard their homes. When officers knock on doors, they must expect to meet pets.

We need to ask why a tool like pepper spray is not the first choice when a dog runs toward the door.

THE OTHER SIDE

The police department says the officers faced a sudden threat. They claim the large dog rushed at them when they tried to check on the screaming woman.

Based on the current evidence, it is hard to tell how fast things happened because we have not seen the body camera footage yet.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW

The neighbor who called 911 now feels deep guilt for trying to help. This tragedy might make other people fear calling for help when they hear noise.

Regular families are left wondering if a simple noise complaint could end with their pet being killed.

WHAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW

Did the officers try to use any non-lethal tools first?

• What does the body camera footage show about how fast the dog moved?
• Will the LAPD change how they train officers to deal with pets?