A US city has agreed to pay $500,000 to dog owner Nicholas Hunter after a police officer fatally shot his pet. The incident happened in Sturgeon, Missouri, in May 2024. Teddy, a five-year-old Shih Tzu, slipped out of Hunter’s fenced yard and wandered to a neighbour’s property while Hunter ate dinner.
The neighbour contacted police because animal control is managed by the department. Officer Myron Woodson arrived and chased Teddy across a field for several minutes. When he could not catch the dog, he drew his gun and fired twice. Bodycam footage showed Teddy facing away when the shots were fired.
The shooting caused strong public backlash. City officials posted online that the officer believed Teddy might have rabies. Then-Mayor Kevin Abrahamson defended the shooting but later resigned. The new mayor suspended Woodson, who later left the department.
Hunter filed a federal lawsuit claiming violation of his Fourth Amendment rights. The city settled the case for $500,000. Hunter will receive $282,500, and the rest will cover legal fees.
Hunter’s legal team said no amount could replace Teddy. The Animal Legal Defense Fund said the settlement should push police departments to improve training and prevent similar tragedies.
