LAPD dog shootings raise questions about police tactics, practices
Summary
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has been reviewed after officers shot multiple dogs over the past decade, including a family’s pit bull named Kush. The shootings have raised questions about police use of force with animals, leading to calls for better training and new policies.Key Facts
- In 2016, LAPD officers shot at 19 dogs, with 12 dogs dying from those incidents.
- The number of dog shootings has decreased in recent years but increased again in 2026 with four shootings and three deaths so far.
- Between 2014 and 2024, officers shot 67 dogs, 45 of which were pit bulls.
- Neveah Aguilar was seven when her family’s dog Kush was shot by police inside their home. Kush eventually died years later after being injured.
- Officers have been criticized for using deadly force quickly, with some cases possibly preventable with more patience.
- After a 2024 fatal shooting of a dog named Jameson, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass ordered a review of police dog encounter policies.
- LAPD is conducting a comprehensive review of tactics, training, and best practices related to police encounters with dogs.
- Some families affected have sued the LAPD and reached settlements but details remain private.
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