Controversy Surrounds LAPD Shooting of Dog in Canoga Park

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is concealing the identity of an officer involved in a recent canine shooting, citing threats to the officer’s safety. The incident occurred last month in Canoga Park and involved the fatal shooting of a golden Saint Berdoodle. Following the release of the video, LAPD Capt. Mike Bland informed The Times that the officer’s name remains undisclosed due to an investigation into threats against him. Typically, state law and court rulings mandate that law enforcement agencies release the names of officers involved in on-duty shootings. Exceptions arise only in cases where there is a documented threat.

Brett Greenfield, representing Marie Marseille, the dog’s owner, challenged the department’s decision to withhold the officer’s identity. Greenfield emphasized the need for accountability in addition to transparency for his client and her dog, Jameson, who weighed 100 pounds.

Transparency without accountability is meaningless. The police body-worn cameras speak for themselves. The people of Los Angeles can watch it, and they can reach their own conclusions. What they will see is deeply troubling, he stated.

Recently, a civil rights lawsuit was filed in federal court by Marseille’s attorneys against the city of Los Angeles. The lawsuit seeks damages, arguing that undue force was applied. The event unfolded on June 13 when the LAPD officer shot Jameson, the shaggy dog, as it emerged from Marseille’s apartment in Canoga Park. Police arrived to conduct a welfare check after a neighbor reported hearing distressing exclamations from Marseille’s home.

The officer’s body cam footage reveals the large dog barking at police when Marseille initially opened her door. As officers requested Marseille to secure the dog, the second officer drew his firearm while retreating. This officer holstered the weapon once Marseille closed the door.

When Marseille returned, officers again inquired about the dog’s location. She assured them, he’s not aggressive. At that moment, Jameson exited the apartment and moved past the first officer, who instructed Marseille to put him in. The barking dog proceeded down the hallway toward the second officer, who then discharged his gun four times.

The federal lawsuit contends that Jameson never exhibited aggressive behavior, such as growling or baring teeth at the officers. The action, according to the suit, violated LAPD policy and the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training guidelines. These standards require an animal to pose an immediate threat to justify lethal force and emphasize understanding canine body language to distinguish excitement from aggression.

An energetic dog — one that is excited, moving, barking — is not necessarily an aggressive dog, and the distinction matters under both LAPD policy and the constitutional standard, the lawsuit argued.

During a news conference, Greenfield noted the officers’ demeanor captured on video, describing it as unnecessarily aggressive given they responded to a welfare check. With Marseille’s son, Jeremiah Garcia, present, Greenfield remarked the footage portrayed an officer prioritizing personal safety over professional duty.

The LAPD has refrained from commenting further, citing ongoing litigation. The event has incited public outcry, pressing Los Angeles police Chief Jim McDonnell to pledge a thorough investigation. Meanwhile, the LAPD and Mayor Karen Bass are facing increased calls to release the full body camera footage. The officer’s face remains obscured in the publicized video.