Los Angeles officials are backing calls for a transparent investigation after an LAPD officer shot and killed a two-year-old dog named Jameson during a response to a noise complaint in Canoga Park.
The incident happened Saturday after police were called to a report of a “screaming woman” at an apartment building about 30 miles from downtown Los Angeles. According to reports, the noise was not a call for help, but a family celebrating the New York Knicks’ championship win.
When officers arrived, the person who made the report directed them to an apartment where Marie Marseille was inside with her dog. Police said the dog was barking and that officers told Marseille to secure him. According to the LAPD, she briefly closed the door, then reopened it, and the dog got out and allegedly charged at an officer. Police said the officer then fired.
Marseille has disputed the idea that Jameson was a threat. She told NBC News that the dog slipped past her legs and was shot twice within seconds. A widely shared video from the aftermath showed her crying and holding Jameson’s body near the apartment entrance.
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The video sparked anger online and brought new attention to the use of force by police during calls that do not initially involve violence. Many people questioned how a celebration over a basketball game turned into a fatal shooting of a family pet.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said Wednesday that she had spoken with LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell and wanted to ensure the investigation would be thorough and transparent. Bass said the loss of Jameson would be felt by the family forever and that the public deserved a complete understanding of what happened.
City Councilmember Nithya Raman also called for the LAPD to promptly release body-worn camera footage. Raman, who is running against Bass in the mayoral election, said the outcome was unacceptable regardless of what the investigation ultimately finds.
The LAPD’s Force Investigation Division is reviewing the shooting. Officials have not yet released body-camera footage or the name of the officer involved.
The case has also drawn attention from civil rights activists and community groups. The Los Angeles National Action Network called for the release of body-camera footage and officer identities, arguing that transparency is needed before the public can judge whether the shooting was justified.
Jameson’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign called “Justice for Jameson,” which quickly raised far more than its original $10,000 goal. The fundraiser described Jameson as a beloved family dog and “the sweetest boy in the world.”
Police shootings involving pets often raise difficult questions for departments. Officers may say they feared being attacked by a dog, while families often argue that pets are protective, scared or misunderstood during chaotic encounters. Many police departments have faced pressure to improve training on animal encounters, including de-escalation techniques and nonlethal options.
In this case, investigators will likely examine the body-camera footage, the timing of the encounter, how close the dog was to the officer, whether the officer had other options, and whether LAPD policy was followed.
The investigation may also look at the original call. If officers were responding to a report of a person in distress, they may have arrived expecting a possible emergency. But once the call turned out to involve celebration noise, critics argue there should have been more time to slow the encounter down.
For Jameson’s family, the investigation will not bring their dog back. But the public response shows how quickly a local police encounter can become a broader debate about trust, training and accountability.
Why It Matters
The case matters because it began as a noise complaint and ended with a family dog being killed by police. That raises questions about how officers respond to low-level calls, how they handle pets during encounters, and whether nonlethal options were available.
It also matters because public trust depends on transparency. Releasing body-camera footage could help clarify what happened and whether the shooting was consistent with LAPD policy.
What Comes Next
The LAPD’s Force Investigation Division will continue reviewing the incident. City leaders and activists are expected to keep pressing for body-camera footage and a public explanation.
The investigation may determine whether the officer followed policy, whether training changes are needed, and whether the department should adjust how officers respond to animal encounters during routine calls.
A social media post showed the aftermath of the Canoga Park incident, where an LAPD officer fatally shot a family dog after responding to a noise complaint.
🇺🇸 LAPD shot and killed a family’s dog during a Knicks championship party.
Officers were called to a Canoga Park condo Saturday after a neighbor reported a woman screaming inside. The screaming was just the family celebrating the title.
Police say the dog, a 2-year-old named…
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) June 17, 2026
