Jesus Serna, a San Bernardino homeowner, says a sheriff's deputy shot and killed his rottweiler, Daisy, in the family’s backyard on Monday. Between his surveillance footage and his account of what happened, Serna says he is demanding answers from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
Surveillance video reviewed by KTLA and republished by AOL shows a male deputy opening a gate and walking into Serna’s yard. One dog, Raven, appears to trot up to the deputy while Daisy barks and moves toward him, at which point the deputy fires. Serna told KTLA he was not home when deputies came onto the property and that officers later told him they were investigating a stolen vehicle parked nearby, a vehicle the sheriff later said was unrelated to the residence.
Backyard Clip Raises Questions About Entry
FOX 5 San Diego reports deputies were in the neighborhood looking into a stolen SUV when the deputy opened Serna’s gate and stepped into the backyard. The footage, along with photos Serna took after the shooting, has been shared with local TV crews and circulated on social media as neighbors try to piece together how the encounter escalated.
Sheriff’s Department Says Video Under Review
In a statement to FOX 5 San Diego, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said, "While searching the property, the deputy encountered a homeowner's dog. During the encounter, the deputy discharged his firearm, striking the dog." The department said a supervisor and Animal Control responded to the scene and that investigators are reviewing body‑worn camera footage along with the surveillance video.
Owner Left With Shelter Bill And Grief
Serna said deputies removed his other dog, Raven, from the yard and that he later paid nearly $250 to get her back from a local animal shelter. He said he wants disciplinary action taken against the deputy who pulled the trigger. "She was just defending her home," Serna told KTLA, according to the account republished by AOL, adding that his family is still grieving Daisy's death.
The sheriff’s internal review is expected to determine whether the deputy’s actions followed department policy, and Serna said he may file a formal complaint. The case adds to a string of recent community questions about when and how officers use force on residential properties and around family pets.
