Sturgeon, MO – Kevin Abrahamson, the mayor of Sturgeon, unexpectedly resigned from his position following a police officer’s controversial fatal shooting of a small, blind dog named Teddy. On May 19, Officer Myron Woodson responded to a dog at large call. After following the blind dog for a short period of time, the officer made the decision to shoot and kill Teddy, citing a fear of being bitten.
On the day that Teddy was found roaming loose, the city of Sturgeon posted photos of him to social media, asking if anyone knew him.
But Officer Woodson got to Teddy before his owner did. In video footage, Woodson can be heard saying, “I’m not gonna let you bite me, you’re looking all cray.” From ABC 17 News, A total of three minutes, and six seconds occurs in the video from when the officer first initially gets close to the animal and the first shot being fired.
Then Mayor Abrahamson and the city initially backed Officer Woodson’s deadly decision. His office released a statement:
“The City believes that the officer acted within his authority based on the information available to him at the time to protect against possible injury to citizens from what appeared to be an injured, sick, and abandoned dog.”
As word spread about Officer Woodson’s killing of a small, blind dog, outrage grew. Mayor Abrahamson resigned from his position and his temporary replacement, Aldermen Seth Truesdell, issued a statement condemning the officer’s actions, and the former Mayor’s statement. Truesdell posted the statement to social media:
On Friday evening, I was informed that the Mayor would be resigning and I would be assuming his role. The board of Alderman and myself do not agree with former Mayor’s statements and were not giving any notice before release. The first time any Alderman saw the body cam video was during the KMIZ news release. Like you we were just as appalled by what we saw. The actions of the Officer involved are not the values and beliefs of the residents of Sturgeon or the board of Alderman. Currently I have made calls to the Boone County Sheriff to meet and discuss an investigation. The officer involved was placed on leave and will remain on leave until further notice. The board of Alderman will be holding a future special meeting to discuss personnel including Officer Woodson. I personally give my condolences to the owners of Teddy. I know nothing I do now or in the future will bring Teddy back. The board of Aldermen and myself are committed to helping the City of Sturgeon heal.
You can read more about this incident and sign a petition demanding Officer Woodson face repercussions, and the police department receive better training, at this link to Animal Victory.
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Lowdown ex-mayor should be so ashamed of himself, defending that monster. But some people have absolutely no shame, no courage, no conscience…nothing but ice-cold callousness.
fantastic, now they need to fire that worthless cop who shot the dog. he had no intention of trying to catch or rescue that pup who was scared because he was lost. people like this guy should not be allowed to serve in law enforcement or carry a gun. that dog was clearly no threat to anyone but that 200lb buffoon felt it was easier to kill Teddy than to do his fucking job!