A couple in Colorado is suing a police officer who shot their 14-month-old puppy, which later had to be euthanised. The incident occurred in June 2019 when Loveland police officer Matthew Grashorn arrived at an empty car park where Wendy Love and her husband were letting their three dogs run around.
Body camera footage shows Officer Grashorn drawing his pistol without announcing his presence. When one of the couple's other dogs ran towards him, the officer called out for them to call it off, which they did. However, another dog, Herkimer, a Staffordshire terrier-boxer cross, leapt from the truck and darted towards the officer. Before the couple could react, Grashorn fired two shots, hitting the dog.
After the shooting, the couple pleaded to take the puppy to the vet, but Grashorn refused to let them leave until his supervisor arrived eight minutes later. During that time, the dog could occasionally be seen lifting its head from the pavement. Herkimer was eventually taken to the vet and euthanised four days later. The couple was initially charged with having a dangerous dog, but the charge was later dropped by the district attorney's office.
Attorney Sarah Schielke, representing the couple, said Herkimer was "clearly a friendly dog" and described the shooting as traumatic. She noted that the couple became depressed after the incident and hoped the lawsuit would force changes within the police department, which she said "needs to be cleaned out." The Loveland police department has faced previous excessive force complaints.
The department's internal review ruled that Officer Grashorn acted appropriately, and he has faced no disciplinary action. The officer has not responded to the lawsuit.
