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A confronting video shows a police officer shooting a family dog after it was struck by a patrol car in Mount Isa, sparking anger and distress.
01:14, Tue, Jun 2, 2026 Updated: 01:15, Tue, Jun 2, 2026
Kulaia-Gene Surha, a 15-year-old from Mt Isa, loved her pet dog Smokey who was shot dead by police (Image: FB)
A disturbing video circulating online has shown the moment a family dog was killed by police after it was struck by a patrol vehicle in a Queensland town.
The incident unfolded on Sunday in Pioneer, a suburb of Mount Isa, around 900km west of Townsville, with witnesses capturing the aftermath on a residential street.
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The dog, named Smokey, belonged to a 15-year-old local girl, Kulaia-Gene Surha, and was reportedly hit after emerging from beneath or behind a parked car.
Police were in the area dealing with an unrelated matter at the time.
What does the footage show?
Video from the scene shows members of the public reacting in distress as the situation escalates on the street.
In the recording, a woman can be heard shouting "That was a pet!" as gunshots ring out shortly afterwards.
Smokey is seen lying injured on the road following contact with the police vehicle, which officers said was moving slowly at the time.
Footage appears to show the animal still showing movement after the second shot, before becoming motionless.
Queensland Police later confirmed the dog was euthanised at the scene due to the severity of its injuries.
What explanation have police given?
According to the Daily Mail, police said the driver and passenger of the vehicle did not see Smokey before the collision.
"Neither the driver nor the passenger saw the dog prior to the impact," Queensland Police said.
A supervising officer attended within minutes and assessed that the animal was suffering significant trauma-related injuries and distress.
Authorities said body-worn camera footage had been reviewed and confirmed the dog was seriously injured, with officers concluding euthanasia was the most appropriate step to prevent further suffering.
Police also said the situation had been distressing for officers involved.
How has the family reacted?
Smokey’s owner’s family said they have been left devastated by the incident.
Speaking to the ABC, the teenager’s grandmother, Sharlene Boddy, said the family accepted the dog needed to be put down but questioned how it was handled.
"We understood that he had to be put down, but there were other avenues they could have taken," she said.
She also questioned why the animal was not transported to a veterinary clinic and why the scene was not managed away from public view.
According to Ms Boddy, officers fired three shots before Smokey died at the location.
"There were enough officers there who could have formed a circle around him," she said.
"He was a great pet to her. When she needed comfort, she turned to the dog."
Neighbours scream as police shoot Queensland schoolgirl's dog (Image: -)
What has been the wider reaction to police shooting a pet dog dead?
The footage has sparked widespread anger online, with locals criticising how the situation unfolded in a public space.
Some questioned why the animal was not taken for emergency veterinary treatment instead of being euthanised at the scene.
Others described the incident as distressing, particularly given that children and families were nearby.
Animal welfare group RSPCA Queensland said it had reviewed the footage.
"Any seriously injured animal should receive prompt assistance," it said.
"Where euthanasia is the best option to prevent further suffering, it should be carried out promptly, using a method that minimises pain, fear and distress."
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