A family in Cobb County, Georgia, is mourning the loss of their beloved dog, Zeta, after she was shot and killed by Cobb County Police Department officers Monday night. The incident occurred while officers were responding to a 911 call near Macland Road and Corner Road at approximately 8:40 p.m.
According to Cobb County police, Zeta and another dog ran out of the house as the owners attempted to restrain them, leading an officer to perceive the animals as “potentially threatening.” In an effort to protect himself, the officer discharged his weapon, causing Zeta’s death.
talking to fox 5 atlanta, Justin Carr of Powder Springs, Georgia, shared that his family had rescued Zeta when she was just a puppy after finding her abandoned on the side of the road. Carr expressed deep distress over the shooting and rejected the police department’s description of Zeta as “potentially threatening,” noting that the dog had been raised around three young children and had never shown any signs of aggression.
“Tonight, the Cobb County Police came to my house for a ‘noise complaint’ after returning from dinner, and then proceeded to shoot and kill our beloved Zeta,” Carr said. “She was the sweetest dog ever. we have had.” The family later posted a statement on Facebook, describing the devastating loss of their “beloved” pet.
Carr also disputed the claim that the 911 call originated from his home, stating that the family was away at the time. He called the officer’s actions “a senseless and avoidable act of cruelty” and expressed his intention to seek justice for Zeta’s death.
In a statement, cobb county police They confirmed that they were unable to locate the source of the 911 call or the person in danger. The department said it understands the seriousness of the situation and is conducting an internal review of the incident.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has repeatedly stated that most cases of police shooting dogs are avoidable. The organization notes that while police policies typically give officers the authority to shoot animals they perceive as threatening, “the ASPCA believes that most cases of police shootings of dogs are preventable.”