A family has been left heartbroken after their dog was shot dead by cops responding to a “swatting” call at their home in Georgia.
The incident unfolded at around 9 p.m. on December 2 when police were called to a home in Cobb County, Atlanta, following a report that a voice was heard shouting “help me” from the property.
Bodycam footage, released by police on Facebook on Monday, shows two Cobb County Police officers arriving on the scene and asking resident Justin Carr: “Is there some screaming going on or something?”
As Carr steps down the porch steps to meet the officers, his wife Tessa Carr opens the door and is seen trying to stop two dogs from running outside.
But Zeta, the family’s brown and white “sweet bird mix” dog, breaks loose and runs into the yard barking.
The officers are heard shouting orders before one draws a taser and shines a light on the animal while a second opens fire with his gun, striking and killing the dog.
“Tonight, Cobb County police came to my house for a ‘noise complaint’ after we just got back from eating dinner, then proceeded to shoot and kill our beloved Zeta. She was the sweetest dog we’ve ever owned,” Carr posted on Facebook one day after the shooting.
“I will be going after Cobb PD with every ounce of energy I have. Zeta did not deserve this. RIP Zeta, forever our baby girl,” he added.
In a press conference on Monday, Cobb County Police Chief Stuart Vanhoozer said that the incident was “tense and unpleasant” for all involved and that an internal investigation is now underway.
“Is there something that we could have done? I don’t. I don’t know that there is, but that’s something that will have to be asked.” he said.
“I believe that this family and our officers have the same exact goal, and that is not to see this happen again if we can, if we can help it.”
The two officers are still on duty, said police.
Carr told Fox5 Atlanta he plans to take legal action against police.
