Resident says neighbor shot her dog; Jenkins council moves to refer investigation to county sheriff

A Jenkins resident told the city council on Nov. 11 that a neighbor fired a handgun at her fenced property and struck the family dog, leaving the animal suffering and later euthanized at a veterinarian. The resident described the Oct. 31 incident and said she and her children were shaken; she urged the council for action and review of the police response.

The council heard the account during the public-comment portion of the meeting. "I told him Johnny shot my dog," the resident said, recounting that Officer Jim Stevens arrived shortly after the call and that the dog had to be euthanized at the vet. A friend of the family told the council the dog was kept inside a fenced yard and described the officer27s initial handling of the scene as incomplete.

A council member moved that the council refer the criminal file to the county sheriff to assume investigatory responsibility; the clerk explained the referral would give the sheriff authority to investigate and, if warranted, forward charges to the county attorney or grand jury. The motion was seconded and put to a voice vote; the motion was moved on the record during the meeting.

Several residents raised broader concerns about roaming animals, alleged property encroachment, and whether prior complaints about the neighbor had been adequately investigated. Another commenter questioned whether the written item labeled "police report" on the agenda was a full police report or only a department memo, and asked whether body-camera footage had been preserved and could be reviewed.

A former police officer in the audience said the document on the agenda appeared to be a memo rather than an incident report and urged clearer accountability and timelier filing of official reports. The presiding officer said body-camera evidence is stored in the evidence system and not generally downloadable by the public; the council said it would follow established procedures to get footage and other investigatory materials to the sheriff if the referral proceeds.

Council members emphasized that council itself does not conduct criminal investigations but can request the sheriff27s office or county attorney take over. One council member said more evidence than is reflected in the memo appears to exist and recommended continuation of the investigation through appropriate law-enforcement channels.

The meeting record shows the referral motion was put on the floor and discussed; the clerk described the process and the intent to forward the file to the county sheriff for independent review. The council did not announce a written vote tally on the record; procedural steps requested at the meeting were to collect statements, request bodycam downloads through evidence procedures and forward the criminal file to the sheriff27s office for further action.

The council also reminded residents that complaints specifically about an officer can be routed to the police commission and that pursuing criminal charges may require presentation to the county attorney or the grand jury depending on prosecutorial procedures.

What happens next: The council directed staff to package available evidence and request the sheriff accept the file; citizens were advised to seek private counsel if they need immediate protective orders and to contact state police where safety is an immediate concern.