As the investigation continues Wednesday into the fatal police shooting of a dog outside his owner’s Canoga Park apartment, more than $160,000 has been raised through small donations to assist with the cremation of the poodle mix and help fund his master’s quest for justice.
The tragic shooting occurred shortly before 9 p.m. Saturday as police responded to a report of a screaming woman, but it turned out she was only celebrating the New York Knicks NBA Finals victory.
The dog, 2-year-old Golden Retriever-Saint Bernard and poodle mix Jameson, who was wearing a Knicks shirt, bolted through the door and was shot by a responding officer.
A neighbor reported hearing two shots.
Video from the scene showed the woman sobbing in grief and anger as she kneeled over the dying dog. She could be heard saying, “He’s such a good dog!”
On Tuesday, activists held a news conference outside Los Angeles Police Department headquarters to demand accountability in the case,
“The tragic killing of Jameson was unnecessary and unwarranted,” said Najee Ali, senior organizer of the Los Angeles National Action Network, in a prepared statement issued prior to a news conference at LAPD headquarters on Tuesday morning. “.
“We stand with (dog owner) Marie Marcel and all those seeking justice for Jameson,” said Najee Ali, senior organizer of the Los Angeles National Action Network. “No family should have to experience this type of tragedy without a full and transparent investigation.”
The tragic chain of events started hen a neighbor heard a woman screaming from the apartment in the 7500 block of Jordan Avenue, according to the LAPD.
The person who made the report directed officers to the apartment, and when they got to the door, “a large dog was by her side barking at the officers,” according to an LAPD statement.
“The officers asked her to secure the dog, and the resident closed her door momentarily,” according to the LAPD. “She re-opened the door, and the dog exited the apartment. Once outside of the apartment, the dog charged at one of the officers, resulting in an officer-involved shooting.”
According to a Gofundme page that had raised about $160,000 by Wednesday morning, Marcel was screaming with joy at the Knicks’ title-clinching victory in Game 5 of the championship series against the San Antonio Spurs. The dog, a 2-year-old Golden Retriever-Saint Bernard and poodle mix, was wearing a New York Knicks shirt.
“If officers had sufficient time to draw and fire a weapon, they had sufficient time to consider less-lethal alternatives, including the use of a Taser,” said Western Regional Director of the National Action Networks Jonathan Moseley. “This incident raises broader concerns about LAPD’s continued use of deadly force in questionable circumstances. The public deserves answers and meaningful reforms.”
Police said the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services was notified, “responded to the scene and took custody of the deceased dog. The dog owner was at (the) scene and cooperated with the investigation.”
An LAPD spokesman said Tuesday that the officer involved was taken out of the field for a few days, as is standard in officer-involved shooting cases, but he had no additional details about the officer’s status or identity.
The National Action Network is also calling for a meeting with LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell regarding the circumstances surrounding Jameson’s death and the department’s use-of-force policies.
The LAPD’s Force Investigation Division is investigating the shooting.