One family is left bereft and confused after returning home to find that both their dogs had been shot by a uniformed Minneapolis police officer. According to security footage of the incident, the dogs were calm and even seemed playful. Jennifer LeMay, a mother of four, is distraught and angry, as her two beloved dogs were wrongly attacked from within the seven-foot fence of her own home.
Distressing film footage shows the police officer standing in LeMay’s backyard in North Minneapolis, as one of the dogs, Ciroc, hesitantly approaches him, wagging his tail. The police officer then draws his gun, aims, and shoots Ciroc and then Rocko.
LeMay said, “he was waging his tail… My dog wasn’t even moving, lunging toward him or anything.”
At the time of the tragic incident, LeMay and her family had been in Wisconsin on a camping trip. Having returned home early for work, LeMay’s daughter accidentally triggered the house alarm, bringing two police officers to their home. According to LeMay, neither one of the officers knocked at the front door but climbed over the back fence instead.
The camera footage shows Ciroc, stop about ten feet away from the police officer, wagging his tail. Ciroc shows no signs of charging, nor does he display any signs of aggressive behaviour. After the police officer fired, Ciroc fell to the ground and then struggled to his feet before running away. The officer then shot Rocko multiple times. LeMay’s daughter saw the whole thing from her bedroom window.
The next day, LeMay was visited by a Minneapolis police officer to first express his condolences, and then to discuss the details of such a tragic incident.
The Staffordshire Terriers were left with extensive injuries, leaving them in a critical state and in desperate need of immediate medical care. The police officer shot Ciroc in the jaw, and Rocko in the shoulder, side and face.
Astonishingly, both Ciroc and Rocko survived their brutal injuries. LeMay is now faced with a crippling amount of bills for veterinary care and surgery for her beloved dogs. Having already spent over $900 for Ciroc’s medical care, the dog is still awaiting surgery at the University of Minnesota, costing $5,000 to $7,000.
Police spokesman Corey Schmidt said, “we are aware of the recent incident involving MPD officers responding to an audible residential burglary alarm and while at this call an MPD officer discharged their firearm, striking two dogs belonging to the homeowner. Anytime an officer discharges their firearm in the line of duty there is an investigation. We are in the process of reviewing the video posted online, as well as the officer’s body camera video.”
LeMay and her four children have raised the two Staffordshire Terriers since they were puppies. Ciroc and Rocko are emotional support dogs for two of LeMay’s children, who suffer from severe anxiety. Emotional support dogs are trained to help their handlers find peace of mind and companionship; They offer around-the-clock emotional support, an increased sense of well-being and sense of security.
Since the police officer in question clearly shot the dogs without the excuse of being threatened or aggressively charged at, we have to question whether this was a deliberate act of cruelty against these innocent animals.
Sadly, this tragic incident has become a common occurrence as a dog is shot by law enforcement every 98 minutes. In the eyes of the law, an animal’s life is worth less than a human’s, leaving them more vulnerable.
This deeply disturbing event has horrified thousands of sympathizers around the world; Having since posting the video, LeMay has received over 400,000 views. The Minneapolis police are currently investigating the incident.
See Also: HALF OF POLICE GUNFIRE INVOLVES COPS SHOOTING DOGS
The police officer was wrong. He obviously was not intuitive, or experienced with dogs, otherwise he would have seen the wagging tail. The officer was obviously afraid of the dogs probably seeing them as Pit Bulls who might hurt him. That kind of lack of experience and lack of intuitiveness is what caused the situation. I feel that it is the officers responsibility to pay the medical bills.
I have the same questions Carmen
I feel horrible for these poor dogs! This should’ve NEVER happened! Which brings me to some perhaps less liked thoughts, after having read the family’s story:
1) WHY didn’t this daughter disarm the alarm she set off when she came home?
2) Also, if these dogs are “emotional support dogs” for 2 of this family’s children, WHY WERE THEY AT HOME, IN THE BACKYARD??? And not on that trip the family took?
None of this makes much sense to me.
The ONLY VICTIMS HERE ARE THE 2 DOGS!!!
The cost for their medical treatment should be shared between the Police Department AND the, in my humble opinion, irresponsible family that left those “emotional support dogs” behind! ANYTHING could’ve happened to them while the family was gone since they’re obviously way too friendly towards strangers! Most dogs would’ve attacked the INTRUDER OF THEIR TERRITORY, AND RIGHTFULLY SO, THAT’S WHAT MOST DOGS ARE EXPECTED TO DO! And I’m saying this, having been a Victim myself of my precious dog being shot dead by a Police Officer as he entered my house without knocking first, so I could’ve put my dog, a sweetheart mix of black lab & pit bull, securely away. And there was NEVER any JUSTICE for her, defending me and our home!!! I’ve nothing good to say about any Police dept, Detectives and the entire messed up JUSTICE SYSTEM! They’re all Crooks in my opinion. And Trumps Administration wants to open more PRIVATELY RUN PRISONS? That must be filled with people! That’s the worst nightmare for Americans coming true! But not the point of this current discussion, sorry….
POORLY HANDLED from beginning……HOWEVER, above & Beyond that, UNTIL LAWS ARE CHANGED,BROUGHT UP TO DATE, UNNECESSARY INHUMANE ACTS WILL CONTINUE, THE LAWS & PUNISHMENT to ANY ANIMAL MUST be MADE more SEVERE!!
Currently, penalties for bad driver`s permits are MORE SEVERE than for one who is INHUMANE to an animal!! INSANE!!
GET to YOUR REPRESENTATIVES!! CHANGE THE LAWS!!
Your story is All well and good,BUT if you watched the video,These 2 babies DID NOT show any aggression what so ever. The cop could of used a good dose of pepper spray Works well on people if he was so frightened!!!! How scared would he get if he see’s a human with a gun or knife? Shoot first , ask questions after? The other dog was walking away from him, SO what was the reasoning for shooting him??? You probably don’t understand this but just because there is a bad cop, like this one doesn’t mean all cops are bad,…same goes for dogs, just because you have a bad one (like the St.Bernard) doesn’t mean ALL dogs are bad.This cop was out of line , down right cruel and should not be allowed to carry a gun! This family should sue the pants off of this SOB!
Well said.
Enter my yard and shoot my dog…I don’t care WHO you are, or THINK you are…YOU ARE DEAD. I would fill these killers with so many bullets, their children would get lead poisoning. It makes NO difference if you are a cop or not. If the law of the land rules differently…well, not much you can do but face the music. Doesn’t change that these two punks would be dead men, trying this in my (and many other U.S. citizens) yard. No thought. Dead.
I think American cops are a bit too exalted when they have a gun in their hands
This asshole cop is the one who needs to be shot! God-damned waste of skin and oxygen.
Here we go again. While I understand police officers are trained on the issue of dog / animal behavior I seriously question the type of training. This happens way too often. I have to believe that breed ignorance plays a huge part of their actions. If these dogs were Golden Retrievers, Poodles or Yorkies I am pretty sure the officer’s gun would never have been drawn. Rotties, Pitties, German Shepherds…yeah. They will be harmed. I have a Rottie at home and this is my fear.
These officers should pay for what happened to the dogs and the dogs owners, veterinary bills, and all related medications for the injuries the dogs received. Also any psychological stress that the incident caused as well as termination of their employment and be permanently bard in any type of law-enforcement or security employment.
Only a pure coward would shoot a dog. UPS, FedEx, Pizza Delivery and the mailman are all braver then these cowards who shoot dogs because they can get away with it.
you should talk to some fedex people and pizza people.. you’ll find out how tired they are of dogs. I did some work for a woman who was not allowed to have a dog. her husband told her if she wanted a pet she could get a cat. he’s a utility worker and is sick to death of dogs coming at him all day long.
This does not surprise me one bit. Police are not there to “protect” the citizenry but the establishment, especially corporations. You need to read up on the actual history of how the police were formed by wealthy industrialists to shoot striking coal miners.
Police have been out of control for many decades. They routinely shoot pets for no reason, and mentally retarded individuals in the back.
Personally I think we WOULD be far better off with “wild wild west”; it would get some of the criminal cops off the street.
He should pay (money always speaks) for all medical treatment required due to his irresponsible actions. Hope those fur babies can be brought back to their previous health..
Next time it’ll be a kid, this scum bag will either, kill or cripple someone. Charge him, sue him, save time and put him in prison now.
THIS IS A HORRIFIC CRIME OF ANIMAL CRUELTY AND ABUSE BY THE POLICE OFFICER!! THE POLICE OFFICER SHOULD BE SUSPENDED- ( WITHOUT PAY ) – AND HAVE TO TAKE A LAW ENFORCEMENT COURSE- ON- ABUSE AGAINST ANIMALS- OFFERED- FREE- BY THE ASPCA!! !!! THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE OFFICER IN QUESTION SHOULD PAY FOR ALL OF THE VETERINARIAN BILLS FOR THESE POOR DOGS!! POLICE HAVE NO EXCUSE- THEY MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS AND MUST ACT IN A HIGHER REGARD FOR ALL LIFE!!! PLEASE SOMEONE – ALSO START A GO- FUND ME PAGE FOR THESE POOR DOGS!! THANKYOU!
I 100% agree with you.
I hope that JUSTICE IS SERVED on the officer who did this…he should pay for expenses for Rocko and Ciroc recovery bills
And not only be fired, he should be sued as well!! fucking asshole!!!!!!!!!
i see no threat. The dog Stopped not to threaten the policeman. He was so close to the gate he could have easily backed out with the gun pointed for assurance but he stays and shoots the 2nd one.fucking coward!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That cop would need to be looking over his shoulder for the forseeable future if they were my dogs.
Abso-FREAKING-lutely!
THIS IS A HORRIFIC CRIME OF ANIMAL CRUELTY AND ABUSE BY THE POLICE OFFICER!! THE POLICE OFFICER SHOULD BE SUSPENDED- ( WITHOUT PAY ) – AND HAVE TO TAKE A LAW ENFORCEMENT COURSE- ON- ABUSE AGAINST ANIMALS- OFFERED- FREE- BY THE ASPCA!! !!! THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE OFFICER IN QUESTION SHOULD PAY FOR ALL OF THE VETERINARIAN BILLS FOR THESE POOR DOGS!! POLICE HAVE NO EXCUSE- THEY MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS AND MUST ACT IN A HIGHER REGARD FOR ALL LIFE!!! PLEASE SOMEONE – ALSO START A GO- FUND ME PAGE FOR THESE POOR DOGS!! THANKYOU!
LET THE TRIGGER HAPPY NUT BALL PAY FOR ALL THE VET COSTS AND LET THEM ALL BE TRAINED.IF THEY ARE CHICKEN SHIT THEY SHOULD NOT BE COPS.
There’s no excuses for “The Minneapolis police are currently investigating the incident” Come on. Its cleary. The Officer just shoot them and go away. He even not call some S.O.S or support to avrigaute dogs.
In the video we can see both Rocko and Ciroc calm, waving the tail, not attacking and not trying to bite.
Who will pay for expenses for recovery the dogs???
BULLSHIT. This officer did not go to the front door or even knock, he no right to even jump a fence. This officer showed signs of fear of a dog, no police that is afraid of dogs should respond to the call, send one that has knowledge and does not have or show fear. The police need to pay all the bills, they were and are completely wrong.
The cop needs to experience the pain he gave those dogs.
He Stopped short of the cop showing his friendliness/obedience then he shoots him!
How do we give the cop that pain those dogs went through? He barely missed his eye.
I see no threat. The dog Stopped not to threaten the policeman. He was so close to the gate he could have easily backed out with the gun pointed for assurance but he stays and shoots the 2nd one.
You need to be brave to be a policeman.
Most (not all) officers, are aggressive, immoral, COWARD, scumbags, who only were allowed to be cops, because they show no signs of NORMAL human traits. Things like sympathy, empathy, care, and kindness are summarily dismissed and not allowed to enter the police force. Happened to a cousin of mine. Real A+ HUMAN. He’s applied over eight times,…they won’t let him in. And…he’s too naive to see that as a “good” thing.
That officer needs more training ….Also he should pay for the expenses it will cost to care for these pets,,,
Wagging their tail or not ,if there was not an aggressive leap on an individual ,there not a reason to shoot them..
Dogs protect their owners .That was what those dogs were doing,,
That officer is gun happy.. and those poor loved dogs got shot by an intruding police officer ….In their own yard…
I will be saying prayers for the family and those 2 beautiful dogs!!! It’s a horrible thing to see and I hope that JUSTICE IS SERVED on the officer who did this…
Coward scumbag cop! I’m sorry if my comment offends anyone, but this just pisses me off because I hear about stuff like this all the time. I seriously hope that he is reprimanded,….but probably not going to happen. Makes me sick!
So who exactly is the vicious animal here!? Not only should that “officer” be fired, he should be sued as well!!
This should not have happened!!! The officer could have left the area instead he shot 2 pets that were not a threat. Remove any type of firearm from this coward!!!
I have been bitten by several tail wagging dogs. a wagging tail can be excitement and they love guarding their territory. even with the owner right there assuring me the dog just wants to say Hi. they have the doggie smile and the wagging tail and I end up with stitches.
Sam the reason you got bit, is because the dog sensed your fear. Same as with that scumbag cop, he showed fear and felt fear so the dog only reacted as he was supposed to. No excuses, to many cops shooting Innocent dogs. If that was to happen in my own yard??? You can bet I will be getting my gun and returning the same.
Sam, I guess I have to wonder why you keep standing by these dogs (if you have been bitten several times by dogs with their tails wagging) Sorry, doesn’t make a lot of sense.
These dogs were clearly not burglars!! The police were supposed to be responding to a burglary alarm. They dogs were were within their own yard and one of the dogs approached the officer as he would anyone but was not charging him or acting in any way aggressive! One dog appeared to be running away when he was shot. This officer kept firing even though the dog was already shot and no threat – and likely wasn’t to begin with!
The incidence of dogs shot by police police officers is alarming. There needs to be some accountability – just as there would be for anyone guilty of deliberate animal cruelty.
I am self-employed and work in other people’s homes. no matter how hard I try to explain to people that I am not comfortable around dogs anymore and try to explain why, they trust their dog too much. some little old ladies will actually get tears in their eyes because I refuse to hug their dog. some will put the dog away at first, then I turn around to get something from my tool bag and there’s the dog, growling and wagging it’s tail. I can’t walk away from every job. I have bills to pay. people should not assume a dog is not a threat. I had a 6 year old saint bernard come after me. I actually had teeth on either side of my face. the owner pushed her down and the kids grabbed her but the owner was so sure her dog was fine she never considered any type of sedative. the dog went out the second story window a week later and attacked a woman on the sidewalk. the dog owner then had to have the dog put down and had to walk away from her brand new home, and everything in it including her new vehicle because the woman on the sidewalk sued her for PTSD. you can NOT assume a dog won’t hurt you. you just can’t. mace might be better, but, at this point, I would just want to stop the dog.
I posted a reply and the site said it was a duplicate. either it will show up later, or this site doesn’t allow apposing views.
ok there it is. feel free to continue to blame me for what other people did.
I think some people like guns and to shoot anything. They may like hunting and may be emotionless when killing an animal. Give police pepper spray and BB guns only. Let go any police who enjoy power and hurt people/animals that are innocent. Police who let dog die in cars is sad also. If they are afraid of dogs they should learn about them.
I can’t justify the shooting, but a wagging tail is not necessarily a sign of friendliness. It is a sign of agitation, which could be friendliness, excitement, or being on guard. Many dogs will wag their tail while barking at an intruder. Police departments need more training in reading dog body language to know when dogs are truly a threat, but we all need to remember that a wagging tail is just one thing to consider.
I understand what you’re saying, however, after viewing that video, it was quite clear to me that this was an act of abuse, and he should pay fir what he did to those beautiful special animals!!! Shame on him
If the dog was afraid or agressive, the dog would be facing the policeman, not walking around like the video shows.
The police dept should be financial responsibility for the medical treatment of these angels.
It seems were getting back to wild wild west days! SHOOT FIRST,ASK QUESTIONS AFTER!!!! The so called “policeman” should be held accountable and ordered to pay ALL vet bills related to the shooting. Given a suspension without pay until the matter is completely investigated. Just keep in mind, that yard the cop walked into was the dogs space, their home and it was INVADED !!!! The dogs DID NOT get into the cops space. I support law enforcement 115%, BUT, unfortunately, there are a few cops that seem to be a little “trigger happy” these days. Someone should look into the fact that this guy just might not of liked dogs. So if thy daughter walked out the door and possibly looked “threatening” to the police officer, would that give him the right to shoot her also???
I completely agree with you. Shooting either of these dogs was completely senseless.
That can be true, but what gets me is the officer jumped inside the gate where the dogs were. They weren’t charging at him or being aggressive so why shoot. I’ve been around dogs all my life and you seem to know when they are wagging their tails if they feel threatened or not. So then when he goes inside the cage and shoots the dogs, then what. Do he bother to go see if there was an intruder in the house? If not, those poor dogs were shot for nothing. They were on the inside of the fence minding their own business. I think if there had been an intruder, he certainly wasn’t there in the backyard where the dogs were. So it seems to me that the officer should have then gone around to the front when he saw the dogs. People are too quick to condem and hurt animals and call them killers when it is humans that are the biggest killers of them all.
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This officer evidently should never have been issued with a gun he is a danger to all around him. He obviously has some kind of mental health problem.
You just described the litmus for who MOST departments allow to join. They don’t accept people who are actual human beings, with functioning, intact understanding/care/sympathy/empathy. They mostly hire aggressive, self-entitled, immoral, drones…who don’t ask questions, and do exactly what they’re told by department heads. They don’t like “humanity” and seem to go out of their way to show us all. As a white male, I have NEVER had or gotten any privileges from ANY police. I never contact or speak with them beyond actual emergencies. I walk away and keep my mouth shut. They are not our friends. (save the 8-10% that have somehow kept their humanity under wraps long enough to make detective)
You’re correct about the dog tail wagging. However, the Officer shouldn’t have entered the yard at all! Knocking on the front door first would’ve been the APPROPRIATE thing to do.