The Los Angeles Police Department (Los Angeles Police Department) has released body-camera footage showing the moment officers shot and killed a woman’s dog outside her apartment in the Canoga Park area of Los Angeles. The incident has triggered public concern and an official review of police use of force.
Police said officers responded on 13 June after receiving reports of a woman screaming in the building. It later turned out the sounds were cheering from residents watching a sports event. The night coincided with the New York Knicks defeating the San Antonio Spurs in an NBA finals game.
The footage shows officers approaching the apartment hallway where Marie Marseille opened her door. Her two-year-old golden Saint Bernard doodle, named Jameson, ran toward the entrance and barked at the officers. The dog was wearing a blue Knicks jersey.
One officer immediately drew his firearm and aimed it toward the ground before raising it toward the doorway. Officers can be heard warning the resident to control the dog. One officer is heard saying he did not want to be bitten, while describing the dog as large.
Marseille attempted to keep the dog inside the apartment but did not fully close the door. She told officers that the animal was not aggressive. Moments later, the dog stepped into the hallway, barked again, paused, and then moved forward slightly.
The officer who had drawn his weapon then fired multiple shots, killing the dog. Marseille and another officer were standing behind the animal at the time of the shooting. The second officer also appeared to raise his weapon during the incident.
The video also shows another officer carrying what appears to be two firearms, though this detail has not been independently confirmed by authorities. The presence of multiple weapons has raised additional questions about police conduct during the encounter.
The release of the footage quickly spread online after a separate video showed Marseille crying and holding her dog’s body. The clip drew strong emotional reactions and renewed debate over police training and decision-making in high-pressure situations.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said she had spoken with Police Chief Jim McDonnell and requested a full investigation into the use of force. Officials said the incident would be reviewed in detail to determine whether proper procedures were followed.
The police department released the edited footage faster than usual, according to media observers. However, the version made public did not include raw unedited video. Officers’ faces were also blurred, a step that commentators noted is uncommon in similar cases.
Journalist Eric Leonard of NBC4 said that while body-camera footage is often released in sensitive cases, the blurring of officers’ faces and the editing of the video stood out as unusual compared to standard practice.
The incident has added to ongoing discussions in the United States about police interactions with civilians and pets during emergency responses. Advocacy groups and members of the public have called for clearer guidelines on how officers should respond when animals are involved.
Authorities have confirmed that the investigation is ongoing. The case continues to draw attention as officials review whether the use of force was justified and whether alternative actions could have prevented the dog’s death.
