Roxie was more than a dog, she was a lifeline. She was the only companion of a man experiencing homelessness in Mesa, Arizona. Now she’s gone, shot and killed by a Mesa police officer while her owner slept nearby.

Body camera footage reportedly shows Roxie barking when officers entered the dog park, but there’s no clear sign she attacked. Within seconds, an officer opened fire. Her owner, just feet away, woke to find his dog dead.

Roxie was all he had.

Losing Roxie is a devastating emotional blow for someone already living in extreme hardship. No one should have to wake up to find their best friend gone in such a violent way, especially when nonlethal options could have been used.

This petition calls on the Mesa Police Department and City of Mesa to:

• Conduct a full, transparent investigation into Roxie’s killing
• Commit to nonlethal animal response protocols for future incidents
• Acknowledge the trauma caused to her owner and provide meaningful restitution

Roxie didn’t deserve this. Her owner didn’t deserve this. When officers are trained to assess threats, we expect them to use sound judgment — not to end a life that could have been spared.

Sign this petition if you believe dogs like Roxie — and the people who love them — deserve better.

 
 Photo: Fox 10