DAVENPORT, Iowa — Content warning: This article contains information that may be distressing to some readers.
News 8 has received numerous tips regarding two videos posted online that show a Davenport police officer fatally shooting a dog on Wednesday night. The police department has since confirmed the incident.
The incident was captured by two outdoor cameras around 7:42 p.m. on Aug. 21. The first video shows the lawn outside of the house and the second, posted hours later, shows an alleyway near the house. Both videos were shared by Don Hesseltine, the dog's owner, on Facebook.
The first video, posted at 12:27 a.m. on Thursday, shows the officer stepping out of his squad car and taking a few steps toward two children, a woman and a black dog in their yard. When the officer is at the edge of the lawn, the dog begins barking and runs to the officer. Once it gets to the officer, it stops barking for a second before it starts barking again and the officer can be seen backing up. That's when two shots can be heard in the video. The dog then runs back to the house, whimpering, before it falls down in front of the porch injured. The dog, whose name was Myst, did not survive.
The second video of the alleyway shows the officer pulling up to the two children on bicycles with Myst walking alongside. According to Hesseltine, the officer asked the kids to put the dog on a leash and the kids can be seen walking towards the home to do this. That's where the events of the first video unfolded.
According to Davenport police, the department received a report of four dogs who appeared aggressive in the 800 block of North Pine Street. Police said the officer was following up the call in the alley of 2100 Telegraph Road, which is presumed to be where he ran into the two children. The address is about a block over from where the initial call came from. Hesseltine told News 8 that Myst wasn't a part of that initial call.
"Turns to find out they weren't even the right neighborhood," Hesseltine said Thursday. "My innocent dog shot down."
Hesseltine's family is now left to pick up the pieces after losing Myst, who he said was his and his son's best friend.
"This just isn't a dog, this is a family member, you know," Hesseltine said. "How would that guy feel if I was walking in his, in his yard and shot his kid? It's the same thing to us. That dog was a brother to my son, a dog was a kid to me."
Police did not say whether or not the dog bit the officer but Hesseltine told News 8 that he didn't. Hesseltine said his child is going to mistrust police after the event.
"He said, 'Dad, how am I supposed to trust these guys to take care of us?' He goes, 'Why didn't he just tase my dog?'" Hesseltine said. "My son is seven."
Hesseltine said he wants the department to set a better example, calling the officer "trigger happy."
"It's a d**n dog. If he bites you in the ankle, you get bandaged up and you can go fight another day," he said. "My dog can't now, he's dead."
Here is the full statement on the incident from Davenport police.
The Davenport Police Department is aware of a public video showing an incident involving an officer discharging his firearm in an encounter with a dog, as family members are present.
On Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at approximately 7:20 PM, 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.
While the officer was following-up to the call in the alley of 2100 Telegraph Road, a dog ran out of a yard in the officer’s direction. The officer is seen on the public video slowly backing up while the dog advances. The dog’s behavior became aggressive, resulting in the officer discharging his firearm at the dog. The dog died as a result of its injuries.
Standard practice in these circumstances includes a department review of videos from the neighborhood if available, body worn cameras, vehicle cameras, and all other information available at the time. The Davenport Police Department is committed to taking the time to ensure all standards, policies and procedures of the department are followed.
Davenport Police are investigating the incident. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.