In a recent incident that has sparked outrage among residents, a Sturgeon police officer shot and killed a Shih Tzu mix dog that appeared to be injured, sick, and abandoned. The bodycam footage obtained by KOMU 8 News sheds light on the events leading up to the tragic incident.

The footage reveals that Officer Myron Woodson entered the yard where the dog was slowly roaming. Over the course of approximately three minutes, Woodson attempted to capture the dog using a lasso, but eventually resorted to his gun, shooting the dog twice. He then placed the lifeless body of the dog in a cooler.

According to a statement from the City of Sturgeon, Officer Woodson took these actions out of concern that the dog may have had rabies and to protect citizens from potential harm. The city maintains that Woodson acted within his authority based on the information he had at the time.

The statement further explains that the person who reported the injured dog did not wish to be contacted and described the dog as possibly blind, injured, and covered in mud and dried blood. The dog's behavior aligned with the caller's description of an injured or sick animal.

The bodycam video also confirms previous reporting by KOMU, detailing the interaction between Woodson and the dog's owner, Nick Hunter. In the video captured by Hunter, he approaches Woodson's vehicle and seeks the officer's name and badge number. Woodson justifies his actions, citing the caller's request to not be contacted and the dog's resistance to being leashed. He expresses regret and conveys that the situation was unfortunate, indicating that he was not going to issue a citation to Hunter.

The incident has aroused significant controversy, resulting in a petition signed by more than 3,300 individuals calling for Officer Woodson's removal. In response, concerned residents have planned a meeting at the Sturgeon Recreation Center on Tuesday at 6 p.m. to discuss the incident.

The case has ignited a broader conversation about the lack of animal control resources in the area, leaving officers like Woodson in a difficult position when confronted with issues involving animals.

As the community grapples with the aftermath of this incident, calls for justice and accountability continue to echo through Sturgeon. The implications of this tragedy have created a sense of urgency to address the need for improved animal control measures and training for law enforcement officers in handling such situations.