Bodycam footage shows dog’s final moments before being killed by Sturgeon police | Mid-Missouri News

KOMU 8 News obtained the bodycam footage of the Sturgeon police officer who shot a dog that appeared to be “injured, sick and abandoned.”

The Shih Tzu mix was killed Sunday after police officer Myron Woodson feared the dog might have rabies, according to a statement from the city of Sturgeon on Monday.

The footage shows Woodson entering the yard while the dog slowly walks around.

After spending about three minutes trying to lasso the dog, Woodson quickly draws his gun and shoots the dog twice.

The officer returns to his vehicle, empties a cooler of drinks, and places the dog’s limp body in the container.

In a statement posted on Facebook on Thursday, the city said it believes Woodson acted within his authority during the incident.

“The city believes the officer acted within his authority and the information available to him at the time to protect citizens from potential injury from an apparently injured, sick and abandoned dog,” the post said. “The report indicated that the person calling did not want to be contacted and had reported that the dog, although not dangerous in their opinion, was injured and possibly blind and had mud and dried blood in its fur. The dog’s odd behavior seemed consistent with the report’s reporting of an injured or possibly sick dog.”

The bodycam footage also confirms previous reports from KOMU detailing the interaction between dog owner Nick Hunter and Woodson.

Hunter approaches Woodson’s vehicle while his own camera is running and asks for the officer’s name and badge number.

In the video, the officer defends his actions by saying that the caller had asked not to be contacted in connection with the incident and that the dog could not be caught on a leash.

Woodson Hunter is heard telling that it was simply an unfortunate situation and he will not issue a citation to the dog owner.

“I don’t enjoy shooting dogs,” Woodson told Hunter. “I’m sorry that happened.”

Hunter asks Woodson why he shot the dog, to which the officer replies, “What am I supposed to do? We don’t have damn animal control.”

By 3:30 p.m. Friday, more than 3,300 people had signed a petition calling for Woodson’s dismissal.

Residents will hold a meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Sturgeon Recreation Center to discuss the incident.