Executive Summary
- Video footage shows a Memphis Safe Task Force member kicking a dog during an arrest warrant execution.
- The U.S. Marshals Service states the action was a “last resort” to protect a K9 unit from the aggressive animal.
- The dog’s owner disputes the official account, claiming she was blocked from retrieving her pet, which suffered a fractured rib.
- Tennessee’s “General Patton Act” mandates specific training for officers regarding animal encounters.
A viral video depicting a member of the Memphis Safe Task Force kicking a small dog during an arrest operation has drawn public scrutiny and a formal defense from the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS). The incident occurred in the Whitehaven neighborhood of Memphis, Tennessee, during the apprehension of a suspect wanted on out-of-state charges, raising questions regarding use-of-force protocols involving domestic animals.
According to Action News 5, the confrontation took place as agents executed an arrest warrant for Jaquize Henderson. Emma Hollingsworth, the dog’s owner, stated that her nine-month-old miniature schnauzer, Yoshi, escaped the apartment during the chaotic scene. Video footage obtained by the news outlet appears to show a task force member kicking the animal twice—once away from the building and a second time as the dog circled a police K9 unit. Hollingsworth alleges the force was unnecessary, telling reporters that the dog was not a threat and that she was prevented from intervening.
The U.S. Marshals Service released a statement maintaining that the deputy’s actions were a necessary protective measure. “The dog tried repeatedly and aggressively to attack the working K9,” the USMS stated. Officials asserted that the owner was instructed to restrain the animal but failed to do so, leading the deputy to intervene as a “last resort” to control the environment and protect the police dog. The agency acknowledged the optics were “unfortunate” but denied any malice, describing the kick as a split-second decision.
Hollingsworth claims she was physically blocked from retrieving her pet by a marshal stationed at her door. Following the encounter, a veterinarian determined that Yoshi suffered a fractured rib but is expected to recover. Henderson has since bonded out of jail, though Hollingsworth indicated to reporters that the couple now faces eviction following the raid.
Operational Protocols and Oversight
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement agencies face regarding animal encounters during tactical operations and the subsequent impact on community relations. The National Sheriff’s Association has previously implemented training programs specifically aimed at maintaining public trust while managing domestic animals during police work. Furthermore, Tennessee law, specifically the General Patton Act of 2004, mandates training for law enforcement officers in handling animals, underscoring the state’s legislative focus on mitigating these volatile situations. It is important to note that Jaquize Henderson, arrested on a warrant for commercial burglary, is presumed innocent of all charges until proven guilty in a court of law.
