LAPD Body-Camera Footage Reveals Dog Shooting Incident in Canoga Park
Incident Overview
The Los Angeles Police Department has made public body-camera footage depicting the tragic moment when an officer fatally shot a woman's dog in the hallway of her apartment complex located in Canoga Park. This incident occurred on June 13, following reports of a woman screaming, which was later clarified to be celebratory cheers after the New York Knicks' victory over the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals.
The video captures resident Marie Marseille as she opens her apartment door to the arriving officers. Her two-year-old golden Saint Bernard doodle, named Jameson, rushes towards the entrance and begins barking at the police. One officer quickly draws his firearm, initially pointing it downwards before aiming it towards the apartment.
"Put your dog away!" one officer commands, while another officer expresses concern about the size of the dog, stating, "That's a big-ass dog; I ain't getting bit by that, bro." Meanwhile, Marseille attempts to keep Jameson inside by holding the door, assuring the officers that her dog is not aggressive, although the door remains ajar.
Jameson, donning a blue New York Knicks jersey, steps into the hallway and barks again. After a brief pause, he barks once more before the officer who had drawn his weapon fires four shots. At the moment of the shooting, both Marseille and the officer's partner are positioned behind the dog.
Images from the body camera indicate that the second officer was armed with two firearms. Initially, his right hand hovers over what seems to be his service weapon. After Marseille tries to secure her dog, he appears to draw a second pistol with his left hand, maintaining it throughout the encounter.
This shooting incident has drawn significant public attention, especially after a video surfaced showing Marseille in distress, mourning over Jameson's body. In response to the event, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass stated she had discussed the situation with Police Chief Jim McDonnell to ensure a thorough investigation into the use of force against the dog.
Reporter Eric Leonard from NBC4 highlighted that the department released the footage unusually fast and noted that the video was edited, with the officers' faces blurred—a practice he described as rare for LAPD body-camera footage. "We've been reviewing these body-worn videos for years, and I don't recall another instance where officers' faces were blurred before," Leonard remarked. The investigation into the shooting is still ongoing.