Dog Seen on Video Being Kicked by U.S. Marshal Agent; Agency Says Action Was ‘Last Resort’ in ‘Dangerous Situation’

A Tennessee woman says her young dog was seriously injured after being kicked by a U.S. Marshal agent during her boyfriend’s arrest — an incident that was captured on video and has since sparked public outrage.

Emma Hollingsworth told local outlets that the encounter occurred on Wednesday, February 4, outside her apartment in Memphis, as U.S. Marshals moved to arrest her boyfriend, Jaquize Henderson. According to reports from Fox13 Memphis and WMC-TV, Henderson had an active warrant related to a commercial burglary case in north Mississippi.

Video Shows Dog Kicked During Arrest

Hollingsworth recorded part of the arrest on her phone, while a nearby security camera also captured footage of the incident. Both videos, obtained by WMC-TV, show several U.S. Marshal agents on scene, including a K-9 unit.

In the footage, Hollingsworth’s 9-month-old schnauzer, Yoshi, can be seen running outside and barking near a leashed police dog. One agent attempts to shoo Yoshi away, but moments later, another agent forcefully kicks the dog.

“My dog came out running, like, ‘What’s going on?’” Hollingsworth told Fox13 Memphis. “And the U.S. Marshal kicked him very hard, for no reason.”

Owner Says Dog Suffered Broken Rib

Hollingsworth said she was shocked and furious after watching the footage.

“You’re not supposed to do that to my dog,” she told WMC-TV. “He didn’t even do anything. Why would you forcefully kick him like that?”

She later took Yoshi to a veterinarian, where she says she was told the dog suffered a broken rib and would need medication as part of his recovery.

U.S. Marshals Respond: ‘Split-Second Decision’

The U.S. Marshals Service issued a statement addressing the video, acknowledging the incident and confirming that it is circulating on social media.

According to the agency, the dog “got loose and tried repeatedly and aggressively to attack the working K-9.” Officials said the dog’s owner was instructed to restrain the animal but did not do so.

“While the appearance of the incident is unfortunate, the deputy marshal’s action was not done with malice,” the statement read. “It was a last-resort, split-second action taken by a law enforcement officer to control the environment and mitigate a dangerous situation.”

The agency added that uncontrolled animals can pose serious risks during arrests and emphasized the importance of keeping pets restrained.

Public Reaction and Ongoing Questions

The video has prompted strong reactions online, with many viewers questioning whether the force used against the dog was necessary. Hollingsworth maintains that Yoshi was not a threat and says she is seeking accountability.

At this time, it is unclear whether the incident is under internal review or if any further action will be taken.

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