He Called 911 to Save His Neighbor. Police Came and Shot Her Dog.
A wellness check during a sports win ended with Los Angeles police firing 5 shots and killing a golden retriever-poodle mix.
Sometimes, trying to do the right thing can lead to the worst possible outcome. We trust the system to help our neighbors, but a single phone call can change a life forever.
What Happened
Marie was at her home on Jordan Avenue. She was screaming with joy because her favorite team won a big game. A neighbor walking outside heard the noise and got worried.
The neighbor had dealt with domestic abuse in the past, so they called 911. They wanted the police to perform a welfare check. They just wanted to make sure Marie was safe.
When police officers arrived, things got tense. The neighbor says the officers were hostile and banged on the door. When the door opened, police say the dog rushed at them and they fired 5 shots.
What the Evidence Shows
- 1 911 call made by a worried neighbor walking outside.
- 5 gunshots fired back-to-back by Los Angeles police officers.
- 1 dog, a golden retriever-poodle mix named Jameson, killed.
- $200,000 raised online to support the grieving family.
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The Bigger Question
When we call the police to check on someone, we expect help to arrive. Why does a simple welfare check so often turn into a scene of violence? We need to ask if police training teaches officers to calm a tense scene, or if it makes them treat every home like a battle zone.
The Other Side
The Los Angeles Police Department says the officers had no choice. They state that the dog rushed toward them and tried to attack, which made them shoot. This argument depends entirely on what the body camera footage shows when it is released to the public.
What Happens Now
The family is working with a lawyer to get answers from the police. They will watch the body camera video soon to see what happened. Meanwhile, the neighbor says they will never call 911 for a welfare check again, choosing instead to knock on doors themselves.
What We Still Don't Know
- Did the officers try to use non-lethal tools before firing their guns?
- What does the body camera footage show about the dog's behavior?
- Will the LAPD change how officers handle pets during wellness checks?