A video circulating on social media appears to capture a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officer kicking a police K9 twice while attempting to control the animal. The incident, which occurred in the area of Tropicana Avenue and Boulder Highway, has led to online outrage and caught the attention of the department.
The 35-second clip, first posted to the Facebook page LVEI (Las Vegas Emergency Incidents), shows an officer struggling with a barking K9. The video pans from a woman with her hands raised to the officer as he appears to kick the dog twice before walking with it toward a police vehicle.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department acknowledged awareness of the video in a statement. "We are aware of the social media video circulating on the internet regarding this incident," a department spokesperson said Friday. The department has not specified whether an investigation is underway.
According to the department, officers responded to a report of a shooting in the 6300 block of Rubylyn Avenue. Upon arrival, officers learned that no shooting had occurred.
Online reactions to the video have been swift. Users on platforms like Facebook and Reddit have expressed strong opinions, with many calling for the officer's termination. One Reddit user commented, "I hope we can all at least agree that kicking a K-9 dog should be sufficient reason to fire a police officer."