The St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department said an investigation into the incident is ongoing, but has not shared why the deputy was at the house.
FARMINGTON, Mo. — A service dog who was helping a Farmington man recover from a brain tumor surgery was shot and killed by a St. Francois County deputy on Sunday, the county’s sheriff’s office confirmed with 5 On Your Side.
Scott Dollins recently bought the dog, named Nala, to act as a service animal while he recovered from the surgery. He just got approval for the dog to travel with him on his job.
“This was murder,” Casey Tacker, Scott’s mother-in-law, told 5 On Your Side. “[Nala] was his companion and best friend and slept with him every night since his surgery … This is absolutely devastating to our family.”
The sheriff’s office said it is investigating the incident, but did not immediately share why the deputy was at the Dollins’ residence. 5 On Your Side is not sharing the name of the deputy since he hasn’t been charged with a crime.
The Dollins family told 5 On Your Side that the deputy came onto their property and their home’s porch uninvited and without a warrant where he encountered Nala before he shot her. The dog allegedly doesn’t have a history of being violent and recently had 10 puppies.
The St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department said the deputy shot Nala after he received two bite marks. The St. Francois County Ambulance District’s administrator said an ambulance was dispatched to the residence after the shooting, but was then told no patient was at the scene.
Photos reviewed by 5 On Your Side show a brown dog lying in a gravel driveway with blood on her head. The Dollins family says these photos show the moments following the shooting. The photos show the dog was also wearing a shock collar at the time of the shooting, which would have prevented her from leaving the property.
The sheriff’s department has yet to share any more information on the Farmington incident.
This is a developing story. This article will be updated with the latest information as it is released.
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