Sheffield residents were left shocked after a dramatic incident involving a large dog ended in tragedy.
Bodycam footage has now revealed the tense moments when police officers were forced to shoot an XL Bully named Ghost, after the nine-stone animal escaped and caused panic on the streets.
Bodycam Footage Shows Deadly Confrontation
The footage shows the officer, referred to only as A35, taking aim and firing three rounds at Ghost.
The clip cuts off before the officer reportedly drew a pistol to deliver the final, fatal shot.
The three-year-old dog, weighing approximately nine stone, was killed on December 7 last year, after police were called to reports of a dangerous dog on the loose in Sheffield.
Owner Found Guilty of Dangerous Dog Offence
At Sheffield Magistrates’ Court, it was revealed that officers had been told the dog had previously attacked people, though no one was injured during this incident.
District Judge Tim Spruce found Ghost’s owner, 30-year-old Sophie Zaherali, guilty of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control after a three-hour trial.
Zaherali also admitted to malicious communications for posting messages online targeting the officer involved in the shooting.
Owner Accuses Police of Killing Dog in Cold Blood
Following the verdict, Zaherali branded the officers “murderers,” claiming that a second officer on scene had indicated the dog was not acting dangerously.
She insisted that Ghost “wasn’t dangerous” and argued the shooting was unnecessary.
Armed police had been called to Dunella Street after Ghost reportedly bit a woman and acted aggressively toward another person, although Zaherali was not present during the incidents.
Police Defend Decision to Use Lethal Force
South Yorkshire Police said officers shot Ghost after he charged at them, stating the decision was made “to end and mitigate the risk it posed to the public.”
Firearms Inspector Steve Usher stressed the responsibility of dog owners, saying, “Dogs are the responsibility of their owners, and they are the ones who will be held responsible for their animal’s actions.”
A spokesperson added that the decision to shoot a dog is never taken lightly.
Officers are highly trained and make careful risk assessments before acting.
“Our aim is always to safely contain any animal, but the safety of the community and officers is always our priority,” they said.
Social Media Posts Lead to Additional Conviction
After the shooting, Zaherali posted images online attempting to identify the officer involved.
This led to her conviction for sending offensive or menacing messages through a public communications network.
During the court proceedings, she denied owning a dangerous dog but admitted to the malicious communications offence.
For legal reasons, the identity of the officer involved cannot be revealed.
Sentencing Scheduled for December
Zaherali is due to return to Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on December 16 for sentencing, bringing the case to a close while raising ongoing questions about dog ownership and public safety.