A distressing incident in Memphis, Tennessee, has ignited public fury after a woman filmed a United States Marshal agent forcefully kicking her small dog during the arrest of her boyfriend. Emma Hollingsworth captured the moment on Wednesday outside their apartment, alleging that the federal officer injured her nine-month-old Schnauzer, Yoshi, without justification.
Arrest Turns Violent for Family Pet
Federal officers arrived at the residence with an arrest warrant for Jaquize Henderson, Hollingsworth's boyfriend, in connection with a commercial burglary in North Mississippi, according to court documents obtained by Action News 5. Hollingsworth stated that Henderson surrendered peacefully to the authorities. However, during the arrest, their puppy Yoshi unexpectedly darted out the front door.
Video footage from the scene shows Yoshi barking and dashing around the agents outside. In one clip, an agent wearing a bright blue cap is seen delivering a powerful kick to the small dog. Another angle, recorded by a nearby external camera, depicts a task force member attempting to shoo Yoshi away from their police K9 unit. As the Schnauzer continued to bark and run, the same agent struck the animal, sending it tumbling backward.
Owner's Account and Veterinary Aftermath
"My dog came out running. He was like, 'What's going on?' And so the US Marshal kicked him very hard, forcefully, for no reason," Hollingsworth told Fox13. She immediately took Yoshi to a veterinarian, where he was diagnosed with a broken rib and prescribed medication. The puppy is now recuperating from his injuries at home.
Frustrated by the treatment her pet endured, Hollingsworth took to social media to share the video and express her outrage. "This isn't protection — this is abuse. US Marshals came to our home, used unnecessary force, and kicked my dog, leaving him with a broken rib," she wrote in a Facebook post that quickly garnered attention.
US Marshals Service Responds to Allegations
In an official statement provided to media outlets, the US Marshals Service offered a different perspective on the event. The agency claimed that "a dog from one of the apartments got loose and tried repeatedly and aggressively to attack the working K9." They added that the dog's owner was instructed to restrain the animal but "did not do so."
Addressing the viral video circulating on social media platforms, the agency stated, "While the appearance of the incident is unfortunate, the deputy marshal’s action was not done with malice. It was a last-resort, split-second action taken by a law enforcement officer to control the environment and mitigate a dangerous situation." The Marshals Service emphasized that "an uncontrolled, aggressive animal can hinder official duties and threaten safety," and reminded pet owners to keep their animals leashed at all times.
Controversy and Ongoing Scrutiny
Hollingsworth also revealed to Action News 5 that she was prevented from retrieving her dog during the incident because a marshal blocked her in the doorway of her apartment. The conflicting accounts between the dog owner and the federal agency have sparked a broader debate about the use of force against animals during law enforcement operations.
As the video continues to circulate online, drawing widespread condemnation from animal rights advocates and the public, the Daily Mail has reached out to the US Marshals Service for further comment. The incident underscores the tense and often unpredictable nature of arrest scenarios, where the presence of pets can complicate already volatile situations, leading to outcomes that leave lasting physical and emotional scars.
