Disturbing body camera footage released from a January 29th incident in Pahala, Hawaii, shows a police officer shooting at a group of four pit bulls, fatally wounding one, as they rush towards him. The incident occurred while officers were attempting to serve a restraining order on a 52-year-old man.
Bodycam footage shows Hawaii police approaching a white pickup truck
The video begins with officers approaching a residence and knocking on the door. Immediately, loud barking and howling can be heard from within. After receiving no response, the officers knock again, prompting further barking. One officer can be heard saying “He’s out here,” possibly referring to the resident.
The officers then discuss the situation, noting that they are recording with their body cameras “just in case” the man exits the residence. As they begin to leave, a young woman opens the door. At that moment, four pit bulls charge out of the house, barking aggressively.
Bodycam footage shows Hawaii police fatally shooting a pit bull
Reacting quickly, one officer fires his weapon multiple times. The video cuts off at this point due to its graphic nature. Tragically, one of the dogs was fatally wounded in the shooting.
The Hawaii Police Department released a statement following the incident. Police Chief Paul Montez stated, “The officer was charged by several large aggressive animals and had less than three seconds to react and make a decision on how best to preserve his own life.” He continued, “That being said, any loss of life is tragic. We mourn the loss of the dog in this case, who ultimately was a beloved family member.”
The officer involved in the shooting remains on duty while an internal investigation is conducted. The dog owners have expressed their outrage and grief over the incident, stating their intention to pursue legal action against the Hawaii Police Department. They maintain that their dogs were not aggressive and were merely reacting to the presence of strangers on their property.
This incident has sparked debate about the use of deadly force by police officers, particularly when animals are involved. Animal rights activists argue that the officer’s actions were unjustified, while law enforcement advocates maintain that the officer acted appropriately to protect himself from perceived danger. The incident highlights the complexities surrounding police interactions with animals and the difficult decisions officers face in high-pressure situations.
