An XL Bully owner criticized police officers for fatally shooting her dog, labeling it as ‘cold-blooded murder’ due to what she claimed was an unjustified killing. The incident occurred in December 2024 in Hillsborough, Sheffield, when Ghost the dog, weighing nine stone and three years old, triggered a significant police reaction after allegedly biting a woman and being on the loose.
Responding to reports of a dangerous dog, armed South Yorkshire Police officers arrived at the scene as Ghost exhibited aggressive behavior towards another woman. Subsequently, the officers shot Ghost as it advanced towards them to minimize the perceived threat posed to the public, despite not causing harm to anyone.
In court proceedings at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court, Sophie Zaherali, the dog’s owner, was found guilty of owning a dog that was dangerously out of control. Additionally, Mrs. Zaherali admitted to making malicious communications against the police officer who shot her dog, through social media posts following the incident, expressing her belief that Ghost’s death was unnecessary and criticizing the police’s actions.
During the trial, it was revealed that Ghost had escaped the family home without a muzzle or leash, leading to multiple 999 calls reporting injuries. The prosecution highlighted that Ghost, classified as a banned breed, had not met the necessary requirements for ownership, which subsequently expired.
Ms. Zaherali, dealing with a medical emergency involving her child at the time, was unaware of Ghost’s escape until gunshots were heard, as described by a neighbor. Emphasizing the emotional bond with Ghost, she maintained that the dog was not acting aggressively and questioned the necessity of the lethal force used by the police.
The court testimony detailed the events leading to Ghost’s shooting, with conflicting accounts of the dog’s behavior and the officers’ response. Despite video evidence suggesting Ghost did not appear dangerous during the encounter, the officers justified their actions based on the information available to them regarding previous alleged attacks by the dog.
As the case awaits sentencing, Ms. Zaherali advocates for The Ghost Act, aiming to restrict the use of firearms by officers in similar situations and hold them accountable for wrongfully shooting a dog. She also seeks the return of Ghost’s body to lay him to rest and prevent such incidents from recurring in the future.