INDIANAPOLIS -- An Indianapolis family is criticizing IMPD after video cameras show police shooting and killing their dog last week.
Police reports show IMPD officers were called to a home in the 2200 block of Adams Street to investigate a disturbance.
The shooting, which was caught on the home's doorbell camera, took place just seconds after two officers walked onto the front porch.
The officers knocked on the door and identified themselves as police, when the dog immediately sprinted outside. An IMPD officer then quickly fired two shots killing the dog that had run toward his feet.
"I just really think it's sad. He never should have been gunned down," said Ashley Bills, the sister of the dog's owner.
After the shooting, two officers stayed on the front porch while the officer who pulled the trigger followed the dog, named Deebo, to the backyard where it later died from multiple gunshots.
"It's not just an animal. He was like our baby. He was like my mom's baby," said Bills. "It's terrifying. We're traumatized. It's just really sad. I think they should be held accountable."
Ashley said no one with the family was home at the time of the shooting, but pointed out their home does have a "beware of dog" sign on the front fence.
She believes police could have used less than lethal force to stop Deebo.
"You know you could have tazed that dog, but the officer should have not been in that situation. Y'all are trained to deal with situations like that," said Bills.
IMPD said it is aware of the incident and claims one officer reported being bit on the foot when the dog charged out of the partially open front door.
IMPD referred to their general orders and insisted the shooting would be reviewed by the Civilian Use of Force Board because a firearm was discharged.
The following is IMPD's entire statement:
IMPD is aware of doorbell camera footage from an incident that occurred on Thursday, August 1, 2024. North District officers were dispatched to the 2200 block of Adams Street on the report of a domestic disturbance. When officers arrived, at least one dog ran out the partially opened front door of the home and charged at officers. An officer was reportedly bit on the foot. At some point, one IMPD officer discharged their service weapon, striking the attacking dog. Indianapolis Animal Care Services (IACS) responded and took control of the dog. This incident will be reviewed by the Civilian-Majority Use of Force Board for adherence to IMPD policies as is standard procedure for these types of incidents.
For their part, Deebo's owners just wish the police were not so quick to pull the trigger.
"This can happen to somebody else, so I believe they should be held accountable. There's no reason for the dog to be gunned down like that," said Bills.
After the shooting, no one at the home was arrested in relation to the initial disturbance and there are no criminal charges pending as part of the investigation.