Excelsior Springs, Mo. – On the morning of Nov. 4, Lieutenant Jeremiah Renne of the Excelsior Springs Police Department was preparing to leave for his shift when two large dogs on his private property approached him aggressively. According to a department press release, Renne was wearing his uniform and carrying his department‑issued firearm when a Great Pyrenees‑type dog startled him as he opened his garage door.
Sequence of events
Renne reportedly shouted at the first dog to leave the premises. After the animal ran away, he checked to be sure it was gone. A second dog, described as a large pit bull, then approached Renne, “growling and barking aggressively.” The first dog returned, and both animals began lunging toward the officer, prompting him to draw his service weapon and fire, killing both dogs.
Department policy and officer safety
The Excelsior Springs Police Department confirmed that its firearms policy allows officers to carry their department‑issued weapons while off duty. “Lt. Renne’s possession of his department‑issued firearm was consistent with that policy,” the statement read, emphasizing the department’s commitment to officer safety even when they are not on the clock.
Prior incidents and preventive measures
Police noted that the pit bull had previously been on Renne’s property and had displayed aggressive behavior toward him and his wife. In response, Renne installed a fence along the side of his property, but the dogs continued to approach the area.
Investigation and legal outcome
The Ray County Sheriff’s Office, which has jurisdiction over the rural area where the incident occurred, investigated the shooting. The sheriff’s investigation concluded that no laws were violated. The Excelsior Springs Police Department conducted its own review and agreed with the sheriff’s findings.
Handling of the dogs’ remains
After the shooting, Lieutenant Renne transported the dogs’ bodies to the Excelsior Springs Animal Control Center, where a supervisor explained the facility’s disposal procedures. The animal’s owner, identified after Renne contacted a neighboring resident, declined to retrieve the bodies. The supervisor then arranged for the animals to be cremated.
Community response
The incident has sparked discussion among local residents about the use of department‑issued firearms off duty and the appropriate protocols for reporting such events. While the department’s policies permit off‑duty carry, some community members have expressed concern about the need for written documentation of the shooting. Police clarified that a separate written incident report was not required under existing procedures, as the shooting occurred on private property and did not involve any injuries to people.
Official statements
Lieutenant Renne verbally notified his immediate supervisor and also informed the Ray County Sheriff’s Office of the incident. The department reiterated that any questions regarding investigative records should be directed to the sheriff’s office, which retains jurisdiction over the area.
Overall, the department maintains that the officer acted within policy and in self‑defense, protecting himself and his family from a potentially dangerous situation.
Original reporting: KSHB 41 Kansas City (local) — read the source article.
