The Canoga Park woman who witnessed the death of her 2-year-old dog after he was fatally shot by Los Angeles police over the weekend said she’s still processing what happened, all the while as she demands accountability and transparency.
Marie Marseille said she and her family are heartbroken over the death of their golden Saint Bernard doodle, Jameson. The pooch was shot by officers from the Los Angeles Police Department on Saturday after they alleged he charged at them as they responded to a report of a woman screaming.
“This is so much,” Marseille said. “I never expected this to happen. Never.”
Marseille said Jameson’s death happened moments after the New York Knicks’ championship win. Officers were called to a Canoga Park apartment Saturday night for a report of a woman screaming, not knowing that those screams were in excitement over the team’s victory.
“Next thing I know, he was on the ground,” Marseille said. “I see the officer shoot him twice. I did see that. I was right there when it happened.”
In a statement, LAPD said officers were speaking to Marseille when a large dog at her side was barking at officers. The department said when she re-opened the door after being asked to secure her dog, the dog allegedly charged at an officer, prompting them to open fire.
Marseille denied the police’s allegation that her family pet went after an officer.
The Canoga Park family whose dog was shot and killed by LAPD officers opens up about their grief. Camilla Rambaldi reports for the NBC4 News at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, June 15, 2026.
“I don’t know if charged is the right word,” she said. “Jameson, he is a very playful dog, very happy and energetic and excited, if he barked. He has never bitten anyone.”
According to a 2023 LAPD “Use of Force Directive” on dog encounters that NBC4 Investigates obtained, officers are told they have several tactics they can use against what they call “hostile dogs.” Those tactics include voice commands, spray and fire extinguishers. The directive also states an officer can use deadly force when it’s reasonable to protect the officer or another person from the threat of death or serious bodily injury.
“I saw the two bullets go into Jameson,” she said. “I went down, he was still breathing.”
Saturday’s shooting is now prompting calls for the LAPD to release body camera video. Marseille, meanwhile, said she is waiting for the department to finish its investigation.
