GoFundMe Campaign for Dog Fatally Shot by LAPD Approaches $190,000
A GoFundMe fundraising campaign created for Marie Marseille, a Los Angeles woman whose dog was fatally shot by officers of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), has been confirmed as authentic and is rapidly approaching the $190,000 mark. The campaign has drawn widespread attention online, fueled by a graphic and emotionally devastating video that went viral in the days following the incident. The tragedy has reignited a heated national conversation about the use of force by law enforcement during routine wellness checks, the treatment of pet owners by police, and the accountability of officers in situations involving animals.
What Happened: A Wellness Check Turns Tragic
The incident took place on a Saturday in Los Angeles when Marie Marseille was inside her apartment celebrating the New York Knicks' NBA Finals victory. A neighbor, reportedly hearing screaming from inside the unit, called 911 out of concern for Marseille's safety. Officers responded to conduct a wellness check — a routine procedure intended to ensure the well-being of a resident.
When Marseille opened her door to speak with the responding officers, her dog was by her side, reportedly barking. According to an official LAPD media release, officers asked Marseille to secure the dog. She complied, briefly closing the door. However, when she reopened it, the dog exited the apartment.
"The dog charged at one of the officers, resulting in an officer-involved shooting," the LAPD stated in its official release.
The dog, who was wearing a Knicks T-shirt at the time of the shooting, was killed during the encounter. Marseille was left devastated, and the incident quickly drew widespread public backlash as details began to emerge on social media.
Viral Video Captures Heartbreaking Aftermath
In the hours and days following the shooting, a graphic and deeply unsettling video began circulating across social media platforms. The footage shows Marseille sobbing uncontrollably over the body of her dog, audibly telling bystanders and officers that her pet was not a vicious animal.
"He's such a good dog!" Marseille can be heard crying in the now-viral clip.
The video spread rapidly across platforms including X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, accumulating millions of views and drawing an outpouring of grief and outrage from viewers across the country. Many commenters expressed sympathy for Marseille and questioned whether the use of lethal force was necessary or proportionate given the circumstances.
Critics of the LAPD's handling of the situation argued that officers should have been better trained and better equipped to deal with a dog during a non-emergency wellness check. Animal welfare advocates and legal experts began weighing in publicly, with many calling for a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident.
GoFundMe Campaign Confirmed Authentic
In the wake of the public outcry, a GoFundMe campaign was created to support Marseille in the aftermath of the tragedy. The fundraiser quickly gained traction online, with thousands of donors contributing within a short period. GoFundMe confirmed the campaign's authenticity, providing reassurance to those who wished to contribute that their donations would reach the intended recipient.
As of the latest reporting, the campaign had raised nearly $190,000 — a figure that reflects both the depth of public sympathy for Marseille and the extent to which the incident resonated with dog owners, animal lovers, and those concerned about police conduct across the United States.
The funds are intended to help Marseille cope with the emotional and financial toll of losing her pet in such a traumatic and sudden manner. For many donors, the act of contributing was also a form of protest — a way of expressing solidarity with a grieving pet owner and demanding greater accountability from law enforcement agencies.
Broader Conversation About Police and Animals
The shooting of Marseille's dog is far from an isolated incident. Studies and reports from animal rights organizations have documented hundreds of cases each year in which police officers shoot and kill dogs during the course of their duties. Critics argue that many of these shootings are avoidable and that departments across the country lack adequate training in how to handle dogs safely during police encounters.
The LAPD, like many large metropolitan police departments, has faced scrutiny in the past over officer-involved shootings involving animals. Advocacy groups have long called for mandatory de-escalation training specific to animal encounters, as well as clearer use-of-force guidelines when it comes to pets and domesticated animals.
In Marseille's case, many observers questioned why officers did not have access to non-lethal deterrents, such as pepper spray or a bite sleeve, that could have been used to safely manage the dog without resorting to deadly force. These questions remain at the center of public discussion as the LAPD's investigation into the incident continues.
Community Response and Calls for Justice
Beyond the GoFundMe campaign, community members and activists in Los Angeles have called for accountability and transparency from the LAPD. Protests and vigils were organized in the neighborhood where the incident took place, with demonstrators demanding a full and independent review of the officers' actions on the day of the shooting.
Local animal rights groups have also pledged to support Marseille's case and to use the incident as a catalyst for policy reform. Legal advocates are reportedly exploring whether Marseille has grounds for a civil lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles and the LAPD.
What Comes Next
As the LAPD's internal investigation proceeds, public pressure for answers shows no signs of abating. The viral video continues to circulate, keeping the story in the public eye and ensuring that Marseille's loss remains part of a larger, ongoing dialogue about the relationship between law enforcement and the communities — and the pets — they serve.
For now, the nearly $190,000 raised through GoFundMe stands as a powerful testament to the public's compassion for Marie Marseille and to the growing demand that police departments be held to a higher standard when lives — human or animal — are at stake.