February 21, 2023
Thom Carroll/for PhillyVoice
An off-duty FBI agent shot and killed a dog to break up a scuffle between three dogs Monday near The Touraine apartment complex on the 1500 block of Spruce Street in Philadelphia. Police and the FBI are investigating the shooting.
An FBI special agent reportedly shot and killed a dog near an apartment building in Center City on Monday night.
The shooting occurred after the agent's dog and two dogs owned by another person got into a scuffle near The Touraine apartment complex, witnesses told 6ABC.
The agent, who was off duty, reportedly fired the gun to fend off an aggressive dog.
"The FBI is reviewing a shooting incident this evening on 1500 block of Spruce St, Philadelphia, involving an FBI special agent," the agency tweeted. "Initial information is that the agent shot & wounded an aggressive dog. There were no other injuries. The FBI takes all shooting incidents involving our agents/task force members seriously. We're working jointly with Philadelphia Police & FBI Inspection Division to investigate the incident."
A police official shot and wounded a dog here in front of the #Touraine on 1520 Spruce Street. #RittenhouseSquare police have transported the owner and the pet to a local emergency facility. pic.twitter.com/vYJg2WkZoo
— ThatNewsJawn (@ThatNewsJawn) February 21, 2023
Revolution Philadelphia, an animal rights advocacy group, responded to the FBI's tweet by asking, "Isn't unauthorized use of deadly force against DOJ policy?"
Rev Philly held a protest in front of the FBI's Arch Street building on Tuesday morning.
A group of protesters outside the FBI Philadelphia Field Office right now. The FBI says a special agent shot and wounded a dog on Spruce St. between 16th and 17th Streets last night. pic.twitter.com/GgGsSv4Ihq
— Tim Jimenez (@TimJRadio) February 21, 2023
"This incident put several civilians in danger, and this dog, known as Mia, lost her life," the advocacy group said. "This woman is a trained professional and a dog owner. Her first reaction should not be to shoot first. This is unacceptable, and we are demanding that she be held accountable for her actions."
