Back to the Utah State Aggies Newsfeed

Appeals court says police officer was justified in shooting Geist the dog in a Utah backyard

In a 3-0 decision, the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed that Officer Brett Olsen did not violate the constitutional rights of Sean Kendall by entering his yard on June 18, 2014, without a warrant and shooting Geist the dog.

Salt Lake City police Sgt. Brandon Shearer said Tuesday that the officers were concerned about the missing child and that the ruling shows they “were there doing what they needed to do.” Paul Murphy, a spokesman for Salt Lake City, said the situation was “highly critical.”

Kendall’s attorney, Rocky Anderson, said they intend to appeal the decision, possibly to the entire 10th Circuit.