US City Pays $500K After Police Officer Kills Blind, Deaf Dog Teddy

Sturgeon, Missouri: In a landmark settlement, the city of Sturgeon, Missouri, has agreed to pay Rs 4.4 crore ($500,000) in damages to a dog owner after a police officer fatally shot his blind and deaf Shih Tzu, Teddy, in May 2024. The incident has drawn nationwide attention, raising concerns about police protocols and the treatment of pets during law enforcement interventions.

Teddy, a five-year-old Shih Tzu, accidentally wandered off his fenced yard while his owner, Nicholas Hunter, was having dinner. The dog ended up on a neighbor’s property, prompting a call to the Sturgeon police, who are also responsible for animal control in the city.

Officer Myron Woodson arrived at the scene and chased Teddy across a large field. According to bodycam footage, after several minutes of pursuit, Woodson fired twice at the dog from behind while Teddy was facing away, killing him instantly. The officer later claimed he feared the dog might have rabies.

The shooting sparked immediate outrage. Sturgeon’s former mayor, Kevin Abrahamson, initially defended the officer’s actions before resigning abruptly. The new mayor suspended Woodson, who eventually left the police department amid public pressure.

Legal Battle and Settlement

Hunter filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, seeking over $1 million in damages for violations of his Fourth Amendment rights. The lawsuit contended that Teddy posed no threat and that the shooting was entirely unnecessary.

Under the settlement, Hunter will receive $282,500, while the remaining $217,500 will cover legal fees for his attorneys. Hunter’s legal team noted that while the settlement cannot bring Teddy back, it serves as a critical reminder to police departments nationwide about proper handling of animals.

Chris Green, Executive Director of the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), which assisted in funding the lawsuit, hailed the settlement as a historic message. “This is one of the largest settlements for the police shooting of a family dog. Tragedies like Teddy’s are preventable with proper training. Police departments must recognize that harming animals will have serious consequences,” Green said.

The Teddy case highlights the need for police reform regarding animal control and emphasizes the importance of non-lethal intervention techniques. It also underscores the growing accountability of law enforcement agencies when their actions unnecessarily harm pets or the community.

Teddy’s death has sparked broader conversations across the United States about pet safety, law enforcement training, and accountability. Many hope this settlement sets a precedent, ensuring that tragedies like this are prevented in the future.

Hunter’s legal team expressed relief at the settlement but mourned the loss of their beloved pet. “Teddy was a good dog who did not deserve this. We hope other departments will learn from this case and train their officers properly so incidents like this never happen again,” they said.