City Pays Out $500,000 in Dog Shooting Settlement
The city of Sturgeon, Missouri, has agreed to a $500,000 settlement with the owner of a blind and deaf Shih Tzu named Teddy, who was shot and killed by a police officer. The incident, which occurred in May last year, sparked significant public anger and led to high-level resignations.
The Fatal Incident and Its Aftermath
The tragedy unfolded when Teddy managed to slip out of his owner Nicholas Hunter's yard. After the dog was reported to animal control, Officer Myron Woodson responded to the scene. Despite the dog's small size and disabilities, Officer Woodson shot and killed Teddy.
In the aftermath, the officer gave conflicting reasons for his actions, initially claiming he feared the dog had rabies or that he believed it was injured. The shooting ignited a firestorm of public outrage, which ultimately led to the resignations of both Officer Myron Woodson and Mayor Kevin Abrahamson.
Legal Battle and Settlement Details
Nicholas Hunter's legal team pursued a case against the city, alleging a failure to properly train police officers on how to handle encounters with dogs. The city, however, maintained that the shooting was an isolated incident.
The resulting settlement, finalised on Tuesday 18 November 2025, sees Nicholas Hunter receiving $282,500. The remaining $217,500 has been allocated to his legal representatives. Hunter's lawyers stated that while the financial compensation is substantial, "nothing can ever bring his Teddy back."
