Heartbreak in Mt Isa as Family Dog Shot Dead by Police
A distressing incident has unfolded in Mount Isa, Queensland, leaving a teenage girl and her family devastated after their beloved dog, Smokey, was fatally shot by a police officer. The tragic event occurred on Sunday in the Pioneer suburb of Mount Isa, a town located approximately 900 kilometres west of Townsville.
Confronting video footage has surfaced, capturing the harrowing moments following a collision where a police vehicle struck Smokey. The video reportedly shows witnesses reacting with shock and distress, with audible screams and cries. One witness is heard exclaiming, “That was a pet!”, as gunshots echo through the street.
The dog, Smokey, belonged to 15-year-old Kulaia-Gene Surha. According to reports, Smokey had emerged from under or behind a parked car just as a police vehicle, which was leaving a nearby address after attending an unrelated matter, struck the animal.
While Queensland Police stated that neither the officer driving nor the passenger saw Smokey prior to the impact, a supervising officer arrived at the scene within three minutes. This officer observed that Smokey had sustained significant trauma-related injuries and was clearly in distress.
The police statement indicated that Smokey was subsequently euthanised to prevent further suffering. They described the incident as traumatic for the officers involved and asserted that euthanasia was deemed the most humane and appropriate course of action available at the time. The body-worn camera vision has reportedly been reviewed, confirming the animal’s severe injuries and the officers’ actions were taken to prevent prolonged suffering.
Family Questions Police Actions
Despite the police explanation, Kulaia-Gene’s family expressed their profound grief and questioned the methods employed by the officers. Sharlene Boddy, Kulaia-Gene’s grandmother, told the ABC that while they understood Smokey may have needed to be put down, they believed alternative approaches could have been taken.
Ms. Boddy raised concerns about why Smokey was not transported to a veterinary clinic for euthanasia. She also questioned why the incident, which occurred in a public area with children and families present, was not handled with more discretion. She recounted that three shots were fired before Smokey died at the scene.
“There were enough officers there who could have formed a circle around him,” she stated, highlighting the distress of her granddaughter. “He was a great pet to her. When she needed comfort, she turned to the dog.”
Public Outcry and RSPCA Response
The incident has ignited anger and dismay among locals, who have taken to social media to voice their opinions. Many expressed their disbelief and criticised the police response.
“If they ran it over, they could have at least tried to take it to a vet for any chance it may have had,” one commenter wrote. Another added, “Or at the very least, taken it away to do that rather than in front of the whole street. And what a poor shot for a trained police officer. The dog’s tail was still wagging after that shot.”
Another social media user labelled the event as “disgusting” and “heartbreaking,” questioning the actions of the officers involved.
RSPCA Queensland confirmed they had reviewed the footage and issued a statement on Monday. “Any seriously injured animal should receive prompt assistance,” the organisation said. “Where euthanasia is the best option to prevent further suffering, it should be carried out promptly, using a method that minimises pain, fear and distress.”
The incident has raised significant questions about animal welfare protocols within law enforcement and the handling of traumatic situations involving pets and the community.
