Two YouTube videos show a man, identified by CBS as Leon Rosby, taking video of a SWAT team in Hawthorne, Calif.
View this video on YouTube
In the video, Rosby is seen taking taking video of officers walking up the sidewalk. They then walk toward him and arrest him, and proceed fire their weapons on his dog.
View this video on YouTube
[3:09] - As Rosby is arrested, his dog becomes agitated and leaps out of the window of his vehicle, running toward the police officers.
[3:23] - An officer fires his weapon four times at the rottweiler.
There is a third video showing what appears to be another angle of the same incident.
View this video on YouTube
The videos were posted to Reddit Monday night where they quickly gained views. The influx of attention forced moderators to shut down comments to prevent "witch-hunting."
The Hawthorne Police Department issued a press release Monday night about the video, clarifying that Rosby was arrested for his vehicle's loud sound system.
The report stated that the rottweiler was shot after one officer feared "that the attacking Rottweiler would imminently bite the officer(s)..."
Several small Facebook groups protesting the shooting have popped up in the last 24 hours.
The Hawthorne Police Department's Facebook page was besieged with hateful comments overnight.
So much so that the Hawthorne PD issued a second statement regarding the video.
Though that has yet to deter the torrent of angry users discovering the video.
that #hawthorne dog video has ruined my day. don't know why i watched it tbh
vee orphan
@vorfn
that #hawthorne dog video has ruined my day. don't know why i watched it tbh
WOAH NO THE HAWTHORNE POLICE THAT SHOT THE DOG SHOULD BE LOCKED THE FUCK UP I'M CRYING SO MUCH
♡Winona forever♡
@cutestbabyalien
WOAH NO THE HAWTHORNE POLICE THAT SHOT THE DOG SHOULD BE LOCKED THE FUCK UP I'M CRYING SO MUCH
To the police in Hawthorne California that arrested that guy and shot his dog to death... I hope karma fux you in the mouth u bitches
Dean ACM18994EVA
@KING_KAVO
To the police in Hawthorne California that arrested that guy and shot his dog to death... I hope karma fux you in the mouth u bitches
As of Tuesday morning, the Hawthorne Police Department's website is down, possibly due to an influx of traffic.
