Do Cops Shoot Too Many Pet Dogs?

Few stories hit people in the gut like a police officer shooting a family dog.

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When The Trace recently highlighted the fatal LAPD shooting of a golden Saint Bernard doodle named Jameson, the reaction was predictable: outrage, heartbreak, and renewed accusations that police are too quick to pull the trigger.

It’s easy to understand why.

According to The Trace’s reporting, animal welfare groups and the Department of Justice have estimated that police shoot roughly 10,000 dogs each year: about 25 to 30 every day. The outlet also cites studies suggesting dog shootings account for a surprisingly large percentage of officer-involved firearm discharges in some agencies. Those numbers deserve attention.

But here’s where I’d like to hear from GunsAmerica readers.

Is this really a story about trigger-happy cops? Or is it also a story about irresponsible dog owners?

Because those aren’t mutually exclusive.

The Trace focuses heavily on officers who may misread canine behavior, and there are certainly examples where shootings appear difficult to justify. If an officer shoots a leashed Chihuahua, a dog behind a fence, or an animal that’s clearly retreating, that’s worth investigating. Better training should absolutely be part of the conversation.

But there’s another side that often gets left out.

Every year, who knows how many police officers are bitten while responding to calls?

Cops don’t get to choose whether a home has one pet dog or five. They don’t know whether the barking Labrador is friendly or whether the loose Belgian Malinois has been trained to protect the property. They have only seconds to make decisions that pet owners have spent years understanding.

Every dog owner says the same thing.

“He’s friendly.” Usually they’re right. Sometimes they’re not.

And when you’re the one standing at the front door wearing a badge instead of holding a leash, that’s a pretty significant distinction.

Watch almost any body-camera footage involving a dog shooting and you’ll often hear officers yelling the same commands:

• “Get your dog!”
• “Grab your dog!”
• “Call your dog back!”

Sometimes the owner does. Sometimes they don’t. And, sometimes they can’t. Should that matter? I think it should.

Here’s another question.

If a homeowner negligently allows a dog to attack an officer, should that officer (or even the city) have the right to sue the owner for the injuries?

We routinely hear about lawsuits filed after officers shoot dogs. Taxpayers often foot the bill when settlements are reached. The Trace points to several recent cases where municipalities paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to resolve claims.

Fair enough. Now flip the situation.

If an unleashed dog seriously injures an officer, should taxpayers also absorb those medical costs? Or should negligent owners bear more responsibility?

I’m not sure we ask that question nearly enough. None of this excuses bad police work.

Departments should invest in realistic canine encounter training. Officers should know how to read body language, use distance, employ less-lethal tools when practical, and avoid deadly force whenever it’s safely possible.

At the same time, dog ownership carries responsibilities too.

• If your dog doesn’t reliably respond to commands…
• If it routinely bolts through open doors…
• If it charges strangers…
• If you know visitors can’t safely approach your home…

Those are problems long before a police officer ever knocks.

The overwhelming majority of officers don’t wake up hoping to shoot someone’s pet. Likewise, the overwhelming majority of dog owners aren’t raising aggressive animals.

Which is exactly why these incidents are so difficult. There usually isn’t a villain wearing a black hat. There are frightened people, frightened dogs, split-second decisions, and heartbreaking outcomes.

So I’ll leave it to you.

Are cops shooting too many pet dogs? Should departments dramatically improve canine encounter training? Should negligent owners face greater legal consequences when their dogs attack officers?

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