Davenport officer’s bodycam, surveillance video supports decision to fatally shoot dog

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0:00 - Surveillance video
1:01 - Bodycam
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The Davenport Police Department says body-cam video supports the actions of an officer who shot and killed a family’s dog on Aug. 21, according to a news release sent Wednesday afternoon.

On Wednesday, Aug. 21, about 7:20 p.m., 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, police say.

While the officer was responding to the call, he came upon two children on their bikes with a dog off-leash in the alley of 2100 Telegraph Road. The officer, while in his squad car, asked the children to put the dog on a leash.

“The officer parked his squad car behind a neighboring residence in the alley and approached the adult present to inform her of why he was speaking with the children,” the statement says.

“Upon exiting his vehicle, the videos show the dog run out of its yard, through a neighbor’s yard, at the officer standing near the alley.”

The officer’s report completed as part of the call for service says:

“The dog charged me at full speed, barking aggressively at me. I overheard the adult woman say, ‘Oh, no.’ I began to back up, holding my left hand out in hopes the dog would catch my scent and back away from me. The pitch of the dog’s bark changed to a threatening bark.

“The dog continued barking at me, baring its teeth at me. I observed the dog to be salivating from the mouth. The dog lunged at me multiple times, snapping its teeth at me in an attempt to bite me. I dodged the dog multiple times as it lunged at me while snapping his teeth,” the officer’s statement continues.

“This put me in fear of being seriously injured. I drew my service handgun and continued to back up. The dog lunged at me as I was backing up, trying to bite me. I discharged my firearm twice, striking the dog.”

The officer then requested a supervisor to respond to his location, where the officer then remained on scene for about 23 minutes, while the supervisor met with the family involved.

“Body worn camera supports the officer’s statement about what happened. Based on a review of the facts, the officer’s actions were deemed lawful,” the department’s statement says.