City officials in Missouri are facing backlash after defending a police officer’s decision to fatally shoot a blind and deaf Shih Tzu named Teddy. Body camera footage shows the officer repeatedly shooting Teddy as the small dog stumbled around a woman’s backyard in Sturgeon. Teddy’s owner, Nicholas Hunter, was at a loss and devastated by the incident, which he believes was unnecessary and unjustified. The officer claimed he shot Teddy because he appeared injured or abandoned, but Hunter insists that his dog was not a threat and was simply blind and deaf due to a neurological issue.
A nearby homeowner who found Teddy in her yard called the city after seeing him sitting by a water bowl, fearing he was lost and in distress. Despite her efforts to reassure authorities that Teddy was not aggressive, the officer shot Teddy within five minutes of arriving on the scene. The homeowner, who did not want to be identified, criticized the officer’s actions and demanded that he be relieved of his duty. She expressed concern for the well-being of the animal and the lack of communication from city officials following the incident.
Hunter, who rushed to the scene after learning of Teddy’s escape, confronted the officer about the shooting and was threatened with a citation for a loose dog. He was devastated by the loss of his beloved pet and emphasized that Teddy was not a public threat. The city, however, defended the officer’s actions, stating that the officer believed Teddy’s unusual behavior indicated he was injured or sick. They claimed the officer acted within his authority to protect citizens from a potentially dangerous animal and that they would provide training for their officers to prevent similar situations in the future.
The woman who called for help explained that Teddy had shown no signs of aggression or danger, and she was shocked by the officer’s swift response in shooting him. She emphasized that the officer should not be allowed to continue in his role and questioned his use of power in handling the situation. Both the woman and Hunter filed complaints with the city, calling for accountability and measures to prevent similar incidents from happening again. Despite their efforts, they had not received any communication from city officials as of Friday afternoon.
The tragic incident has sparked outrage and calls for justice from the community, with many expressing support for Hunter and the homeowner who tried to help Teddy. The lack of response from city officials has only deepened the frustration and disappointment felt by those affected by Teddy’s death. Both Hunter and the homeowner hope that their complaints will lead to changes in how similar situations are handled in the future, and that the city will take responsibility for the unnecessary loss of Teddy’s life. Their goal is to prevent any other families from experiencing the same heartbreak and injustice.
