Full Breakdown
LAPD Officer’s Fatal Shooting of a Family Dog Sparks Policy Scrutiny
6/21/2026, 1:19:37 AM
Incident Overview
On June 13, 2026, LAPD officers answered a 911 wellness-check in a Canoga Park apartment after a neighbor heard a woman screaming. The woman, Marie Marseille, was celebrating the New York Knicks’ NBA championship. When she opened the door, her two-year-old Saint Bernard-doodle Jameson barked. Officers repeatedly told her to secure the dog. After the door reopened, Jameson moved toward a second officer, who drew his handgun and fired four shots, killing the animal. Body-camera footage released on June 19 shows the exchange; officer faces were blurred.
Background & Policy Context
California does not require police canine-encounter training. The LAPD’s 2023 Use-of-Force Directive No. 11 lists voice commands, pepper spray, batons, fire extinguishers, Tasers and other non-lethal tools before lethal force, and permits deadly force only when it is reasonable to protect the officer or another person from imminent death or serious injury. A 2017 effort to mandate training failed.
Data & Statistics
LAPD records show 32 dog shootings since 2018, falling from seven that year to one in 2024. A GoFundMe for the Marseille family has raised more than $200,000.
Official Statements & Responses
Chief Jim McDonnell called the shooting “incredibly tragic,” pledged a multi-layered review, and emphasized the department’s expectation of “sound judgment, restraint and respect for life.” Mayor Karen Bass called the footage “disturbing and tragic,” said she spoke directly with the chief, and ordered the police commission to review the dog-encounter policy. Capt. Mike Bland said the investigation will include forensic analysis and may take up to a year before recommendations are presented.
Criticism & Opposition
Attorney Brett Greenfield called the shooting “completely unnecessary and profoundly dangerous.” Activist Najee Ali demanded immediate release of all body-worn footage and officer identities. The neighbor who called 911 publicly apologized, saying they felt responsible.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Police say Jameson “charged” the officer; the body-camera video shows the dog approaching calmly and not displaying aggression, contradicting the police narrative.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Every life lost to violence is a tragedy, and we know that the devastating loss of Jameson will be felt by his family forever.” — Mayor Karen Bass
- “The loss of a pet is deeply personal. For many, a dog is not simply an animal; it is a companion, a source of comfort, and a member of the family,” — Chief Jim McDonnell
- “I ain’t getting bit by that bro.” — LAPD officer (audio captured on bodycam)
- “The video raises a disturbing question: whether the decision to use deadly force had already been made before any meaningful effort was undertaken to objectively assess the situation, de-escalate the encounter, create distance, or consider alternatives.” — Brett Greenfield
What’s Next
The Internal Affairs Division has opened a separate probe, and the use-of-force review proceeds under police-commission oversight. A candlelight vigil is planned outside LAPD headquarters, and the department will release additional evidence, including raw footage and dispatch recordings, as the inquiry continues.
