INKSTER, Mich. (May 25, 2022) – The international animal advocacy organization In Defense of Animals is outraged that a good Samaritan whose friendly dog was shot by a police officer after he called 911 for help has now been fined $700. The charity is covering the charge and an additional $125 for court costs.

On November 15, 2021, Brad Brock was at a service station on Michigan Avenue when he witnessed a woman being abused. He intervened and a second man pulled a gun on him, so he left and dialed 911 for help. Instead of assisting, the responding officer shot Moose, a 4-year-old mastiff, four times — twice in the chest, once in the head and once in the leg.

Moose was not on a leash but was gregariously wagging his tail at a pedestrian and then approached the officer to greet him in a non-threatening manner. The officer pulled his gun, but even as Brock pled for his dog and assured the officer that Moose was friendly, the officer opened fire. Moose continued to wag his tail as he ran mortally wounded. He died hours later at a veterinary clinic.

To add insult to injury, the Inkster Police Department issued a statement shifting the blame to Brock. Instead of taking responsibility for its officer’s incompetent actions and unnecessary use of deadly force which resulted in a tragedy, the police condemned Brock for not having Moose on a leash.

Brock was astonishingly charged for having Moose off-leash and stood trial on February 20. On May 17, the city fined him $700 for the charge. 

The city claims that the officer feared Moose and was justified in shooting him. However, the Inkster Police Department has failed to support that claim with video evidence. Apparently, four of the five body cameras worn by officers were not working. Fortunately, Antonio Williams, a security guard working nearby, captured the entire event on his drone. His footage shows how Moose was not threatening and did not chase the officer into traffic, nor did the officer give aid to Moose or Brock. Brock’s attorney is building a discovery pack to file a complaint with the City of Inkster.

“Though Moose was off-leash, his behavior was clearly not menacing as he approached both a pedestrian who passed by, and the officer. The fact that the officer continued to shoot Moose as he veered away in pain and fear proves that he was untrained and panicked,” stated Doll Stanley, In Defense of Animals’ Justice for Animals Campaign Director. “At a time when our nation has been rocked by officers who used their lethal weapons with indiscretion or in panic, citizens must demand that peace and safety officers be highly trained in assessing perceived dangers before resorting to lethal or abusive measures.” 

In Defense of Animals launched a campaign to demand that the Inkster Police Department require training in animal behavior and response for all Inkster police officers. Over 18,000 In Defense of Animals supporters have contacted Inkster Mayor Patrick Wimberly calling for an official apology, disciplinary action, and officer training so this never happens again.

In Defense of Animals has awarded $825 to Brock to cover his fine and court costs and will continue to back him in his quest for justice for his beloved companion, Moose.

Contacts:

Doll Stanley, doll@idausa.org, (662) 809-4483 

Brad Brock (734) 796-5544

Images: https://bit.ly/JusticeForMoose

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization based in Marin County, California, with over 250,000 supporters and a 39-year history of protecting animals’ rights, welfare, and habitats through education, campaigns, and its hands-on rescue facilities in India, South Korea, and rural Mississippi. www.idausa.org/justice4animals

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