Police run over Smokey the dog, then fire three rounds into him | World | News

A disturbing video circulating online shows the moment a family dog ​​was killed by police in a Queensland town after being hit by a patrol car.

The incident took place on Sunday in Pioneer, a suburb of Mount Isa, about 900 kilometers west of Townsville, and witnesses recorded what happened on a residential street.

The dog, named Smokey, reportedly belonged to a 15-year-old local girl named Kulaia-Gene Surha and was shot after getting out from under or behind a parked car.

At the time, police were in the area dealing with an unrelated matter.

What do the images show?

In the video taken from the scene, it is seen that the public gives distressed reactions as the situation escalates on the street.

In the recording, a woman is heard yelling, “That was a pet!” He can be heard shouting. Shortly after, gunshots were heard.

Smokey can be seen lying injured on the road after making contact with the police vehicle, which the police said was moving slowly at the time.

The footage shows the animal still moving before becoming motionless after the second shot.

Queensland Police later confirmed the dog was euthanized at the scene due to the severity of its injuries.

What statement did the police make?

Police said the driver and passenger of the vehicle did not see Smokey before the collision, the Daily Mail reported.

“Neither the driver nor the passenger saw the dog before the collision,” Queensland Police said.

A supervising officer responded within minutes and assessed the animal as suffering serious trauma-related injuries and distress.

Authorities said body-worn camera footage was reviewed and confirmed the dog was seriously injured, and officers concluded euthanasia was the most appropriate step to prevent further suffering.

Police also said the situation was distressing for the officers involved.

How did the family react?

The family of Smokey’s owner said they were devastated by the incident.

Speaking to the ABC, the teenager’s grandmother, Sharlene Boddy, said the family accepted the dog needed to be put to sleep but questioned how it was treated.

“We realized he needed to be put down, but there were other paths they could have taken,” he said.

He also questioned why the animal was not transported to a veterinary clinic and why the scene was not managed away from the public.

According to Ms. Boddy, officers fired three shots at Smokey before he died at the scene.

“There were enough officers there to form a circle around him,” he said.

“He was a great pet for her. When she needed comfort, she turned to the dog.”

What was the broader reaction to the police shooting death of a pet dog?

The footage sparked widespread outrage online, with locals criticizing how the situation unfolded in public.

Some questioned why the animal was not taken for emergency veterinary treatment rather than euthanized at the scene.

Others described the incident as sad, especially since children and families were nearby.

Animal welfare group RSPCA Queensland said it was reviewing the footage.

“Any animal that is seriously injured needs to get help immediately,” he said.

“In cases where euthanasia is the best option to prevent further suffering, it should be performed promptly using a method that will minimize pain, fear, and distress.”