DAVENPORT, Iowa – A family is grieving after a police officer shot their dog.
It happened Wednesday near Telegraph Road and Oak Street in Davenport.
“I’m not against the cops, but I am absolutely pissed and irate and mad at the guy who shot my dog and scarred my damn kids for life,” said the owner, Don Hesseltine. “It’s not fair.”
Myst was the Hesseltines’ family dog. He was 2, and liked to play in the alley behind their house with the neighborhood boys.
On Wednesday, a Davenport police officer told the boys to put the dog away. As Myst was being led to the house, the animal bolted at the officer, growling.
The officer can be seen drawing his gun and firing at the dog three times.
The video shows Myst run toward home and die a few steps from the back porch.
To me, it doesn’t make any sense that your first option to a barking dog that could be potentially nipping at your feet, you pull out your sidearm and execute him right there,” Hesseltine said.
He is a veteran who served in Afghanistan and said the dog helped him deal with issues.
“You have other options in your tool belt,” he said. “You know, you’ve got your mace, you’ve got your baton, you’ve got your taser. My 7-year-old son goes, Dad, why didn’t the cop tase him instead?”
Hesseltine said the officer simply drove away after the shooting.
“I had to bury him last night. On the farm, his favorite place to go run. Bury him under an oak tree.” Here’s the Davenport Police Department statement:
The Davenport Police Department is aware of a public video showing an incident involving an officer discharging his firearm in an encounter with a dog, as family members are present. On Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at approximately 7:20 PM, Davenport Police responded to the 800 block of North Pine Street in reference to a report of four dogs at large, appearing aggressive. The caller stated the dogs were attempting to get over a fence to reach their dog. While the officer was following-up to the call in the alley of 2100 Telegraph Road, a dog ran out of a yard in the officer’s direction. The officer is seen on the public video slowly backing up while the dog advances. The dog’s behavior became aggressive, resulting in the officer discharging his firearm at the dog. The dog died as a result of its injuries. Standard practice in these circumstances includes a department review of videos from the neighborhood if available, body worn cameras, vehicle cameras, and all other information available at the time. The Davenport Police Department is committed to taking the time to ensure all standards, policies and procedures of the department are followed. Davenport Police are investigating the incident. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
Davenport Police Department
Via KWQC