Davenport, Iowa – A tragic encounter with law enforcement has ignited a firestorm of outrage within the Davenport community after a police officer shot and killed a family dog, Myst, in front of two young boys and their father.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, has led to over 6,000 signatures on an online petition demanding accountability for the officer involved in the shooting.
According to police reports, Officer Bock was responding to a call about four aggressive dogs in the vicinity.
However, the address that prompted the call was a block away from where Myst, a beloved 2-year-old dog, was fatally shot.
Eyewitness accounts suggest that Myst, who belonged to the Rodriguez family, was not behaving aggressively at the time of the shooting.
“He was my best buddy,” said Juan Rodriguez, Myst’s owner. “He was just being the friendly dog he always was.”
The harrowing scene unfolded on the family’s porch, where the boys witnessed the tragic moment. Video footage, which has since been circulated online, shows Officer Bock firing two shots in quick succession, striking Myst, who collapsed on the porch.
Community members have rallied around the Rodriguez family, voicing their concerns over the officer’s actions and the police department’s protocols.
The petition started on Change.org calls for a thorough investigation into the incident and demands that Officer Bock be held accountable for his actions.
“We need to ensure that our community is safe not just from crime, but from those who are sworn to protect us,” stated local resident Emily Thompson, one of the petition’s creators.
Adding to the controversy, it has been reported that this incident is not Officer Bock’s first encounter involving a pet.
Just a month prior, he allegedly ran over a service dog while responding to a different call. The owner of the service dog claims that police dismissed witnesses who saw the incident and offered her a settlement of $1,700, which she deemed insufficient for the loss of her service animal.
Local animal rights groups are planning a protest outside the police department next week, aiming to raise awareness and push for changes in how law enforcement engages with animals in distress.
The Rodriguez family, now left grieving the loss of their companion, hopes that justice will be served in Myst’s memory.
