When the front door opened, an Atlanta family’s two family pets excitedly ran outside in November 2013. Moments later, one was shot in the head by a police officer, who refused to allow anyone to help the 2-year-old lab, according to a federal lawsuit filed this week.
Matthew and Kelley Rodriguez are seeking $500,000 in damages in the death of Jane, who later died at a veterinarian’s office, the lawsuit states.
An 11-year-old family member accidentally dialed 911 the morning of Nov. 10, 2013, and when an operator called back, the girl said there was no emergency and that the call had been an accident, the suit says.
When two Atlanta officers later arrived at the home and knocked on the door, Kelley Rodriguez believed it was family members returning. Both of her dogs ran out and down the front steps, and within seconds, Officer Brian Carswell shot Jane in the head, according to the family.
“Kelley’s neighbors tried to help Jane as she lay bleeding to death on the front steps, but police would not allow anyone to help her or go near her,” the lawsuit states.
A police sergeant later allowed the family to take the dog to the vet, where she later died.
Atlanta police declined to comment on the case Wednesday, but a spokesman said Carswell is still employed by the department. The attorney for the Rodriguez family did not respond to a request for comment on the case.
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