A Salt Lake City woman is grieving the loss of her dog, Sinatra, after he was shot by police following a biting incident. The shooting took place in the early morning hours of March 23 outside a convenience store, where officers had responded to reports of trespassers.
Tensions Escalate Outside Convenience Store
Authorities arrived at the store on North Temple Street shortly after 3 a.m., encountering a large group of people in the parking lot. As one officer approached, Sinatra broke free from his handler and bit him, prompting the officer to draw his firearm.
According to body camera footage, the officer repeatedly ordered the group to control the dog, warning that he would be forced to shoot if the dog remained aggressive. Despite attempts to secure Sinatra, the dog reportedly charged at a second officer, leading to multiple gunshots being fired.
The dog sustained critical injuries and was later euthanized by Salt Lake County Animal Services.
Owner Disputes Dog’s Aggression
Karen Baldwin, Sinatra’s owner, insists her dog was not dangerous and was only trying to protect her.
“Sinatra wasn’t a vicious dog,” Baldwin said. “He was loyal and protective, but never aggressive.”
She also expressed regret, feeling that she failed to protect him in that moment.
Despite Baldwin’s statements, police records show she had been previously cited in November 2024 for allowing a “vicious animal to go at large.” Officers had also given her a warning earlier in March to keep the dog on a leash.
Conflicting Views on Use of Force
Baldwin questions whether lethal force was necessary, suggesting that pepper spray or another deterrent could have been used instead.
“He could have just pepper sprayed him—that would have stopped him,” she said.
However, SLCPD officials defended the officers’ actions, saying they followed department protocols when dealing with an aggressive animal.
“When we evaluate the full scope of this situation, our officers showed considerable restraint,” said Brent Weisberg, public information officer for Salt Lake City Police Department.
Weisberg added that the officer who was bitten suffered significant injuries and could have lawfully used deadly force immediately after the attack. Instead, he issued multiple warnings before firing.
Officers Also Affected by Incident
SLCPD emphasized that the officers involved are also dog owners themselves, making the situation especially difficult for them.
“No officer ever wants to be in this position,” Weisberg said. “But their job is to protect themselves and the public.”
Following the shooting, Baldwin was given a private moment with Sinatra before he was taken to be euthanized. She now says she is heartbroken and lost without him, describing Sinatra as the one constant she could always rely on.
While Baldwin and police continue to disagree on whether the shooting was justified, one question remains unanswered—how Sinatra broke free from his leash that night .
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