Brookshire officer suspended as investigation begins into fatal shooting of stray dog, raising questions about conduct and protocol.
A police officer from Brookshire is currently suspended with pay following a contentious incident where cellphone footage captured the officer pursuing and subsequently shooting a stray dog at Longenbaugh Park.
The episode, which took place last week, has rapidly garnered public attention as the video circulated widely on social media, sparking demands for the officer’s identity and dismissal.
Mayor Robert Richards has appealed to the public for patience while a comprehensive investigation is conducted by the city. “From what we understand, the officer claimed the dog was displaying aggressive behavior in the park,” Richards noted. “However, the matter remains under thorough investigation.”
The officer implicated in this incident has not been publicly identified but is on administrative leave with pay while the investigation is ongoing.
Eyewitnesses, including local animal rescuer Jessica Walthall, assert that the officer’s actions were unwarranted and deeply troubling to the community. “It appeared as though they were attempting to run the dog over,” Walthall recounted. “I approached one of the officers, explaining, ‘I do animal rescue for a living.’ Moments later, we heard a series of ten gunshots.”
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One dog was killed, another was later hit by a vehicle, and the third, now called Thalia, was rescued and is being cared for by Belles Buds Rescue.
“We have one lovely female puppy,” said Tammy Livingston, co-owner of Belles Buds Rescue, speaking to KPRC 2’s Rilwan Balogun. “She is the sole survivor. Her mother was shot by the police… also Waller County Animal Control on Wednesday evening. After that, the two pups were frightened and running, with one tragically struck by a car and killed on Highway 90. It’s incredibly sad and entirely avoidable.”
Waller County Animal Control confirmed their response to the park but refrained from providing further details due to the ongoing investigation.
Walthall, who has dedicated over a decade to local animal rescue, believes this incident underscores a persistent issue with how stray animals are managed in Brookshire. “For ten years, we’ve witnessed either neglect of stray dogs or their capture, knowing they would be euthanized,” she stated. “We do have a stray dog problem, but not to this extent. This situation was excessive.”
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The video depicts individuals shouting that the dogs were not aggressive. Mayor Richards acknowledged the conflicting narratives and stressed the necessity of a thorough and fair investigation. “It’s regrettable, and what was seen was just a brief part of the incident,” the mayor commented. “We want the whole picture, which is why we need a proper investigation.”
Richards also addressed the rising social media backlash. “That’s why I decided to make this video statement. I’ve always maintained that the City of Brookshire will be transparent with its residents,” he affirmed. “Please allow us some time to complete the investigation. We’re working efficiently.”
Though no specific timeline for the investigation’s conclusion was offered, the mayor indicated that more details might be disclosed later this week.
Residents like Walthall feel encouraged by the city’s commitment to transparency but insist more measures are needed to prevent future occurrences. “Hearing a mayor genuinely interested in investigating crimes against animals gives us some reassurance,” she expressed. “Yet, animals shouldn’t be shot point-blank when they’re simply trying to survive.”
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