Body Cam Video of Dog's Shooting Draws Fire, Support

The unedited body cam footage can be viewed on this link. WARNING: The footage is graphic and contains adult language.

A body cam video showing the fatal shooting of a Rottweiler last week by a Pasco County Sheriff’s deputy is drawing both support for and criticism of the action.

Released Thursday, the video shot from a camera worn by Deputy Kerry Kempink, starts rolling as the law enforcement officer responded to an alarm call at a Bellamy Brothers Boulevard home in San Antonio around 4:40 p.m. April 17. The sheriff’s office has received 36 calls from the home since 2011, Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco said in a press conference held Thursday.

As Kempink approached the home walking up a long residential driveway, loud barking is heard in the distance. Two dogs are seen rushing at the officer, who pulled out his service weapon. One of the dogs was subsequently shot, but did not die; its howls piercing the air on the video.

The dog’s owner Carla Gloger then came rushing out, yelling at Kempink. She then told the deputy to “shoot him all the way.”

The dog got up, but its injury was severe enough that Gloger, a dog trainer, once again asked the deputy to shoot it. After a brief pause, Kempink is shown on the video doing just that.

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Gloger is now seeking “Justice for Cowboy,” the 18-month-old Rottweiler shot on April 17. She’s launched a Facebook page dedicated to the dog’s memory and is hoping an internal investigation into the shooting will be launched, The Tampa Tribune reported.

Nocco defended the shooting during Thursday’s press conference.

“We know he was in a bad situation,” Nocco said. “We stand behind him.”

Kempink was characterized as a military veteran who knows how to handle high-pressure situations.

“We’re talking about a deputy out there who is one of our stand-up people,” he said.

The sheriff’s office announced the video’s release, along with a video of its press conference, via its Facebook page Thursday.

“The deputy was on the property after a call was received by the Pasco County 911 communications center that an intrusion alarm was activated and required a deputy to respond,” an announcement on the sheriff’s office’s Facebook page stated. “We have also provided the unedited body camera footage that was worn by the deputy when the shooting took place.”

The sheriff’s office’s release of the body cam video has drawn both support and fire.

“I’m glad the deputy is OK,” wrote one woman on the Facebook post. “Those dogs were charging at him.”

Another commenter wasn’t so sure.

“Why couldn’t he of just used pepper spray or a tazer,” wrote another. “Why not shoot him in the leg just to stop him. Killing the dog was unnecessary.”

Nocco is asking viewers to put themselves into the deputy’s shoes.

“Do you think you’re going to be able to outrun those dogs,” he asked during Thursday’s press conference. “When those dogs are in that close proximity, what would you do? He did what he believed was right.”

Photo from Facebook

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