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| Mesa Police Body-Worn Camera Released / Mesa Police Department |
By Ciara Perez, Senior Multimedia Correspondent
iSkyNews.com (ISC News) – Published December 8th, 2025
Dog Shot in Self-Defense After Charging at Mesa Officers During Early-Morning Encounter at Fitch Park
MESA, AZ — The Mesa Police Department has released body-worn camera footage and additional information after an early-morning encounter at Fitch Park ended with officers shooting a dog in what they describe as an act of self-defense.
Just before 3:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 29, 2025, officers were conducting a routine patrol check at Fitch Park near 651 N. Center Street. The park was closed for the night — Mesa parks shut down daily from 10 p.m. to sunrise — when officers spotted 37-year-old Jarell White asleep on top of a picnic table, which violates Mesa City Code 6-10-3(A).
As officers walked up to speak with White, an unleashed pit bull–mix lying beside him suddenly began growling. Police say one officer immediately took a step back to create distance, but the dog leaped off the table and charged toward them, barking and snapping as it ran.
Faced with what officers described as an immediate threat of being bitten, one officer continued to retreat while the second officer fired three shots to stop the charging dog. Mesa Police say the use of force fell under self-defense and was consistent with department policy, which allows officers to stop an imminent attack — including one from an aggressive animal.
Watch body-worn camera footage here:
Viewer discretion is advised.
Officers Tried to Help the Injured Dog
After the shots were fired, the dog ran off. Officers called for additional units since the area hadn’t been cleared as safe. Once more officers arrived, they attempted to help the injured dog, but they say it continued growling and acting aggressively when anyone got close.
Using a snare, officers were eventually able to secure the dog and get it into a patrol vehicle for transport. According to department logs, the dog was on its way to the animal hospital within six minutes of the initial encounter.
Body-worn camera footage shows officers telling White on scene,
“Your dog is going to the vet at Country Club and McClellan.”
Police say this was the first of two separate notifications about the dog’s whereabouts.
At the clinic, officers informed veterinary staff that the dog had an owner. After evaluating the injuries, veterinarians determined they were too severe for surgery, and based on medical standards, the dog was euthanized. Mesa Police emphasize that officers were not involved in the medical decision to euthanize the animal and were not in the room when it happened.
Later that evening, a Watch Commander also contacted a woman believed to be White’s mother to let her know where the dog had been taken.
Department Review Underway
The incident has been forwarded to the Critical Incident Review Board, which evaluates all use-of-force cases. Initial findings indicate the officer’s actions were within department policy and Arizona law when responding to a charging, aggressive dog.
Mesa Police say officers receive specialized training in handling aggressive animals, de-escalation, and humane practices.
Mesa Police Acknowledge the Emotional Impact
The department recognized the emotional toll the incident has on everyone involved, especially the owner.
“This incident is distressing for everyone involved,” Mesa Police said in a statement. “While officers were forced to act in self-defense to prevent an imminent attack, we understand how painful and unfortunate the outcome is for the dog’s owner and the community.”
In the interest of transparency, the department released body-worn camera footage of the encounter.
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