Family Dog Killed By LAPD During Knicks Championship Celebration

CANOGA PARK, CA — What began as a celebration of the New York Knicks' first NBA championship in more than five decades ended in heartbreak Saturday night when Los Angeles police officers responding to reports of a screaming woman fatally shot a family dog outside a Canoga Park condominium complex.

Officers were dispatched shortly after 8 p.m. Saturday to the Jordan Condominiums in the 7500 block of Jordan Avenue after neighbors reported hearing a woman screaming inside a residence, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Officers determined the woman was not in danger and learned the screaming was related to celebrations after the Knicks clinched the NBA title. Authorities said a dog then rushed toward officers after the apartment door opened, prompting an officer to open fire, NBC Los Angeles reported.

"While speaking with the resident, a large dog was by her side barking at the officers. The officers asked her to secure the dog, and the resident closed her door momentarily. She re-opened the door, and the dog exited the apartment. Once outside of the apartment, the dog charged at one of the officers," the LAPD said in a statement.

The dog was a 2-year-old Golden Retriever-Saint Bernard-poodle mix named Jamison, Fox 11 reported.

The dog's owner, Marie Marseille, told multiple media outlets she had been celebrating the Knicks' championship victory at home when officers arrived. Marseille, a New York native, said she attempted to secure Jameson after an officer asked her to put the dog away, but the animal slipped outside.

"He wasn't baring his teeth, he wasn't growling, he wasn't aggressive, he wasn't barking," Marseille told FOX 11. "He was just moving toward the officer."

Video recorded after the shooting and shared widely online shows Marseille sobbing over her dog as neighbors confronted officers. The footage has drawn widespread attention on social media, according to FOX 11 and ABC 7.

Witnesses told ABC 7 that the dog had been wearing a Knicks jersey during the celebration. A photo taken shortly before the shooting showed the dog dressed in team gear.

Neighbor Raymon Alvarez told ABC 7 he initially heard what sounded like someone screaming in distress before police arrived.

"The screaming I heard was like, 'Ah! Oh my God! Oh my God!' Like just pure screaming," Alvarez told the station.

Another neighbor who called 911 later told ABC 7 they felt guilty about contacting authorities but believed someone inside the residence may have been in danger.

A memorial has since begun growing near the spot where Jameson was killed, according to ABC 7.

The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation. The LAPD said additional information about the incident was expected to be released.

City News Service contributed to this report.