Tempers flare at Davenport Council as speakers ask why dog was fatally shot

DAVENPORT, Iowa ( WHBF ) — Tempers flared Wednesday night when dozens of people took the podium – which went flying at one point – to question why a Davenport police officer shot and killed a family dog last week.

Before the public forum, Mayor Mike Matson read a statement in response to the incident from the City of Davenport:

“The City of Davenport wants to express its condolences to the family involved in the events that led to the loss of their dog on August 21, 2024.

“The incident is upsetting to us, particularly because children were present. Right away, the Davenport Police Department assured the City it would review the incident and ensure the department’s standards were met. That review is now complete. While we acknowledge the desire for a more urgent response, taking time for due diligence was of the utmost importance.

“The City recognizes that police officers are often in unpredictable situations, where they are entrusted with the authority to make decisions in a matter of seconds. In this case the Davenport Police officer expressed his sincere fear that he would be seriously injured, and we believe the officer’s body-worn camera supports his statements.

“The City also wants to recognize a media report that the same officer was also involved in an incident on July 13, 2024. Recognizing we can’t provide solace for the loss of a pet, the City and police worked together with the dog owner on a financial resolution.” (The dog was run over by the officer’s squad car.)

“But to be clear – these incidents, while both tragic, are unrelated, and any attempt to mischaracterize them as malicious actions is inaccurate. The violent threats and harassment on social media targeting the officer and his family are wrong and terribly inappropriate.

“The City of Davenport expresses sympathy to the dog owners in both instances and remains committed to leading with transparency in all matters of public interest,.”

“A cold-blooded killer”

Don Hesseltine of Davenport, the dog’s owner, was the first to speak during a public forum at the council meeting.

“When I think about what happened – the moment a police officer shot and killed our dog right in front of my family – I can’t help but feel that this action utterly failed to meet the standards outlined in the DPD’s mission statement.,” Hesseltine said.

“The officer shot a dog who was merely barking, not attacking; he was never bitten or even scratched. So in that moment, he went form an officer of the law to a cold-blooded killer. If the police department supports this kind of behavior, what else might they condone?” he asked.

“As a veteran who served in a combat zone, I fought for freedom and safety, with the hope of returning home to a life where I could feel secure, free from the fear of imminent danger,” Hesseltine said. “Sadly, I felt safer in a combat zone, where I knew my fellow soldiers had my back and the only people shooting at us were the enemy.”

“Our dog, Myst, was more than just a pet. He was a cherished member of our family, bringing us joy, comfort, and loyalty. In an instant, he was taken from us by a cowardly police officer who valued his own safety over ours. Now, my son walks around with an imaginary version of Myst, calling out to him and talking to him,” Hesseltine said. “Instead of waking up to the loving licks and pawing of his best friend, he is awakened by the traumatic memories of that day.”

Soon, the three minutes Hesseltine were allowed to speak ran out. Mayor Mike Matson thanked him, but Hesseltine had more to say. “Let him speak! Let him speak!” the crowd began to chant. In frustration, Hesseltine threw the podium to the floor, then was escorted from the council chambers.

A brief recess was called after that.

“I had a lot of thoughts to say until they cut me off,” Hesseltine said later. “Well, it’s typical they’re trying to cover their butts, and a tragedy and murder that happened at my residence.”

Three other people in the crowded council chambers – including the mother of Hesseltine’s son, who saw the officer kill his dog, along with the mother of the cousin who was at the scene – finished Hesseltine’s remarks. Meanwhile, Hesseltine watched the proceedings on a screen from the lobby in City Hall.

One after another, forum speakers questioned why the dog was killed. A Davenport resident, who has a service animal, said he contacted PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the largest animal-rights organization in the world,) and they are investigating the incident.

“I do not agree with the actions I’ve seen, and I think that there’s something really wrong with the picture here,” one speaker said.

Another said police officers are “human, just like everybody else. That guy could’ve been attacked by a dog when he was a kid and already been traumatized.”

“What I’m feeling now in this community, is a community that does not feel represented, does not feel safe,” another speaker said.

The meeting lasted a little more than two hours, with more than an hour of public comments. According to open meetings law, the council could not take action on any complaint or suggestions from the forum, and could not respond to allegations.

“Now we’re going to get the law involved,” Hesseltine told Our Quad Cities News. “I’m speaking with other people in government. There’s already a magnifying glass on the city, so now, we just need to enhance it a little bit more.”

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