This past weekend, Las Vegas Animal Search & Rescue Paws Patrol LV was called to Barstow, CA, to assist an animal victim in an officer-involved shooting.

This tragic incident is hitting the social media pet community with force as speculation swirls around the incident, the officer’s intent, and what will be next for the dog and the officer.

Here’s what information we can glean from various reports: At some point over the weekend, a Barstow resident contacted the authorities asking for help regarding a dog she’d been helping in the area. This dog had been pregnant when abandoned in late 2024, with residents working to assist or capture her since that time. It had been reported that the dog had a leg injury at the time of the call, with speculation that she had been hit by a car.

After the officer arrived on the scene this past weekend, it’s understood that the officer shot at the dog multiple times rather than capturing it or contacting animal control. A bystander captured a video shared by Paws Patrol LV, which does not show the animal being shot but does reflect the officer admitting to shooting at the animal.

There’s speculation in comments and media as to whether the dog had been aggressive toward the officer, compelling him to shoot in fear for his life, or if this was a case of misuse of a firearm by an official. It’s stated that a video has surfaced of the dog immediately following the shooting, showing it did not have an aggressive demeanor despite being injured and in fear, but we have not yet been able to source this.

After the shooting, Paws Patrol LV was called in from Las Vegas to help find the injured animal and work toward rescue. Through the evening, with drones and tireless efforts, the team searched for the injured dog and was able to locate and capture her. High Desert News visited with the team after their long night of searching and finding the injured dog, capturing a few moments where they talked about the dog and the process of finding her.

Barstow PD has opened an Internal Affairs investigation into the shooting to determine if any department policies, procedures, or training protocols were violated. We’ve yet to see any other public announcements about the incident from the PD but are keeping an eye out. Sergeant Matthew Helms, who is overseeing the investigation, is urging anyone with further information to come forward by contacting him via phone at 702-255-5133 or email at mhelms@barstowca.org. Anonymous alternatives are also available.

The injured dog, temporarily named “Mamas,” returned to Las Vegas with the team from Paws Patrol for emergency surgery to remove her wounded and infected leg, which had a gunshot wound in addition to the earlier injury. She will go into immediate foster care for rehabilitation, and through the Paws Patrol LV process and partners, efforts will be made to find her a perfect and fitting forever home.

Paws Patrol LV relies 100% on donations for their rescue efforts and is driven wholly by volunteers. Any donations help their efforts to save animals in need, such as Mamas.

No further information is yet available on the status of the investigation or any action involving the officer. (WARNING—WOUND VISIBLE) Details regarding the injured animal may be viewed on Paws Patrol LV’s posting.