A Louisiana police officer who shot and killed a puppy in 2021 will now face trial, after a lengthy legal battle.
On April 10, 2021, two New Orleans Police Department officers were called to Derek Brown and Julia Barecki-Brown's home after receiving a noise complaint. According to legal documents, as the pair approached the house, one officer, Derrick Burmaster, claimed he made "kissy noises" to attract any dogs. Believing there were no dogs nearby, the officers approached the Brown's house. As they did so, a dog began barking, and Burmaster drew his firearm. While the other officer left the Browns' yard after hearing the barking, Burmaster stayed, and the Brown's two dogs then ran down the stairs of the home and approached the officers.
One of the dogs, a 16-week-old, 22-pound puppy named Apollo approached Burmaster while wagging his tail. Burmaster fired three shots at Apollo, striking the dog in his neck and chest. Hearing gunshots, the Browns came into the yard, and Derek "held Apollo as he died from the gunshot wound," according to the couple's lawsuit.
