The Los Angeles Police Department has released bodycam footage from a controversial officer-involved shooting that resulted in the death of a family dog in Canoga Park on Saturday, revealing the officer fired four times at the animal.
The footage shows the fatal encounter between LAPD officers and Jameson, a golden retriever, Saint Bernard, and poodle mix belonging to Marie Marseille. The incident has drawn scrutiny over the officer's response to what the dog's owner described as a non-aggressive animal.
According to the bodycam video, officers initially approached Marseille's apartment for a wellness check. When she cracked the door open, Jameson poked his head out and barked. The officer wearing the bodycam appeared startled by the dog's size and immediately began shouting at Marseille to secure the animal, punctuating his commands with profanity.
The footage captures a conversation between officers about the dog's size, with the officer on bodycam stating, "I ain't gettin' bit by that, bro."
When Marseille reopened the door and stepped outside, she apologized to the officers and informed them that Jameson was not aggressive. However, the dog slipped past her into the hallway, barking and running toward the officer wearing the bodycam. The officer then discharged his weapon multiple times at the animal.
The bodycam audio captures Jameson yelping after the initial shot, but the officer continued firing as Marseille screamed. The graphic nature of the footage has intensified public reaction to the incident.
The wellness check that led to the shooting was initiated after a neighbor reported hearing a woman screaming. Marseille was reportedly celebrating the Knicks' NBA championship victory at the time of the call.
LAPD Captain Mike Bland announced that the department will conduct an investigation into the shooting over the next several months. Additionally, the Office of the Inspector General is performing an independent review of the investigation, providing an extra layer of oversight to the case.
The release of the bodycam footage comes amid growing concerns about police protocols when encountering animals during routine calls. The incident has sparked debate about officer training and appropriate responses to perceived threats from family pets.
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Ava Hart
Ava Hart is a pop culture junkie and loves to share what's happening in Hollywood and what trends are taking the world by storm.
