An investigation is underway after a Davenport, Iowa police officer, identified as Ethan Bock, fatally shot a family dog in front of its owners and their young children on August 21.
Officer Bock responded to a report of four aggressive dogs attempting to jump a fence near the 800 block of North Pine Street. While investigating in an alley on Telegraph Road, Bock encountered one of the dogs, named Myst, running toward him from a yard. Bock shot the dog, claiming it was aggressive.
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The Davenport Police Department confirmed that the incident is under investigation. They are reviewing all available surveillance footage and body-worn camera recordings to assess whether the use of deadly force was justified. The department’s statement did not directly reference Officer Bock or confirm if Myst bit him during the incident. However, Myst’s owner, Hesseltine, told News 8 that the dog did not bite the officer.
Hesseltine expressed profound grief and outrage, questioning why the officer shot his pet, who was not part of the initial call. “This just isn’t a dog, this is a family member,” Hesseltine said.
The incident has sparked widespread public outrage, with over 5,000 people signing an online petition demanding accountability for the officer involved. Hesseltine also noted that his child now mistrusts the police as a result of the tragedy.
