Marshal Searches Man's Home For Fugitive, Shoots Dog - "He Didn't Even Bark"

by Asa Jay
Cop Block
Jun. 12, 2015

In the latest example of the punitive and reckless manner with which law enforcement officers treat pets, a U.S. Marshal deputy shot a dog Wednesday, while searching a man’s home for a fugitive.

West Texas homeowner Anthony McDowell says the unidentified Marshal shot the dog without provocation. “My dog didn’t bark at [the officer] not one time.” McDowell said. [He] didn’t even charge him.”

Mcdowell says he allowed the Marshal, accompanied by Odessa police, into his Snyder St. home to search for 33-year-old fugitive Austin Shey Dawson – who officials say is wanted for a probation violation and controlled substance charges.

“I gave permission to come in and search the house,” McDowell said. “So when they [came] in and didn’t find him, they went to the back yard.”

That’s where McDowell says they Marshal spotted his pit-bull, Spot, and shot it four times. “The officer pulled his handgun out and shot him four times,” McDowell said. “The dog didn’t bark at him or nothing.”

McDowell also claims officers physically assaulted his bother-and-law for “no reason” and “slammed him on the ground.”

Odessa Police claim the dog came at them in “an aggressive manner” and said in a statement that no arrests were made and no other force was used during the incident.

The dog Spot did not die but was still in critical condition Wednesday night.

Neighbors who witnessed the shooting expressed their anger and captured some of the scene following the shooting on camera.

“I watched it, I seen it, and I couldn’t believe it,” witness and neighbor, Christopher Cavanaugh said. “It kind of hurt my heart man. We want to feel like everybody else, like we’re protected by the police – not harassed by them.”

Odessa Police say they have launched an internal investigation into the incident.

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