A family in Cobb County, Georgia, is mourning the loss of their beloved dog, Zeta after she was fatally shot by officers with the Cobb County Police Department on 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 while the homeowners were attempting to restrain them, prompting an officer to perceive the animals as “potentially threatening.” In an effort to protect himself, the officer discharged his weapon, resulting in Zeta’s death.
Speaking with 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 his deep anguish 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, Cobb County police came to my house for a ‘noise complaint’ after we just got back from eating dinner, then proceeded to shoot and kill our beloved Zeta,” Carr said. “She was the sweetest dog we’ve ever owned.” 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, asserting 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 confirmed they were unable to locate the source of the 911 call or the person in distress. The department said it understands the gravity 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 instances of police shooting dogs are avoidable. The organization points out that while police policies typically grant officers the authority to shoot animals they perceive as threatening, “the ASPCA believes that most instances of police shootings of dogs are avoidable.”