A GoFundMe campaign has raised more than six figures after a Los Angeles woman’s family dog was fatally shot by an LAPD officer during a disturbance call connected to NBA championship celebrations. The incident has sparked widespread anger online and renewed debate over police use of force involving pets.
The dog, a 2-year-old golden retriever, Saint Bernard, and poodle mix named Jameson, was shot on Saturday, June 13, 2026, outside the home of his owner, Marie Marseille, in Canoga Park, Los Angeles.
The shooting happened just minutes after the New York Knicks secured their first championship in decades. Marseille, who is originally from New York and works as a nurse, had reportedly been celebrating the victory with Jameson, who was wearing a Knicks jersey.
According to the LAPD, officers from the Topanga Patrol Division were sent to the area around 8:55 p.m. after receiving a report of a “screaming woman.” When officers arrived, they made contact with Marseille near her home.
Police said officers told Marseille to secure the dog after Jameson was described as barking nearby. The department said the door was briefly closed and then reopened before the dog came out of the apartment.
According to the police account, Jameson moved toward an officer, leading to an officer-involved shooting. The Los Angeles Department of Animal Services later took custody of the dog’s remains.
Marseille has strongly disputed the idea that Jameson posed a threat. Speaking after the incident, she said her dog was not growling, showing his teeth, or acting aggressively.
She said Jameson was simply moving toward the officer when he was shot. For Marseille, the explanation has not answered the most painful question: why her dog had to die.
Video shared widely online showed Marseille on the ground near Jameson, crying in distress after the shooting. In the footage, she could be heard saying they had only been celebrating the Knicks’ championship moments earlier.
The emotional video quickly spread across social media, where thousands of users reacted with outrage. Many people questioned why an officer opened fire and argued that the situation should have been handled differently.
A GoFundMe campaign was created to help cover cremation costs and support the push for “justice for Jameson.” By June 16, the fundraiser had passed $100,000 as donations poured in from people moved by the story.
The fundraiser described Jameson as a sweet dog who was taken too soon after what should have been a happy moment with his owner. Donors left messages of sympathy for Marseille and anger over the shooting.
Many comments called the incident a preventable tragedy. Others said the case raised broader concerns about how officers respond when animals are present during calls.
The LAPD has confirmed that its Force Investigation Division is reviewing the shooting. Officials said the investigation will include interviews, evidence review, and forensic analysis as they determine exactly what happened.
For now, Marseille is grieving the loss of a dog she called her baby, while supporters continue demanding answers. What began as a celebration over a long-awaited Knicks championship has now become a painful case centered on a family pet, a police shooting, and a community asking why it happened.
