Henderson police responded to reports of two loose dogs on Oct. 2, a situation that ended with Officer G. Mendez‑Gonzalez shooting and killing an 8‑year‑old black Labrador mix named Rocky. The incident unfolded over three hours in a neighborhood at the intersection of Arroyo Grande Blvd. and Santiago Drive.

Timeline of calls and police actions

The first 911 call came in at 6:13 p.m., describing two aggressive dogs running at large that charged a resident in his open garage, barking but not biting. Over an hour later a second caller reported dogs growling and barking near the same intersection, possibly frightened.

Later that evening a woman found the dogs, coaxed them into her car with a cheeseburger, and called 311 for assistance before 9 p.m. According to the police report, one dog began barking, growling, and acting aggressively as she re‑entered the vehicle.

Officer Mendez‑Gonzalez arrived at approximately 9:10 p.m. and requested Animal Protection Services. The woman told officers that the dogs leapt from the car and charged her, with one dog opening its mouth and lunging. The officer first deployed pepper spray, which caused the dogs to retreat.

Escalation and use of force

At 9:33 p.m. the officer reported that both dogs had jumped out of the car. He then exited his patrol car, noting a male on a bike nearby. Body‑camera footage shows that at 9:34 p.m., the dogs immediately began chasing the officer as he backed around his vehicle. He sprayed them again with OC spray, drew his handgun, and a shot was heard seconds later, striking Rocky.

Henderson Police released a statement saying, “Our officers are trained to use less‑lethal options when safe and practical. In this incident, our officer repeatedly attempted to create distance as the dogs aggressively advanced toward him and used OC spray in an effort to deter them. When the dogs continued to advance despite these efforts, the officer discharged his firearm to protect himself and the community.”

Family’s concerns and legal response

Rocky’s owner, who asked to remain anonymous, said the dogs likely escaped through a side gate while she attended her son’s high‑school football game. “My first question was, how did our gate get open because it’s a latched gate, like it’s not something to get open like regularly,” she said.

The owner also wondered whether the incident was linked to recent burglaries at the home, noting, “We’ve had a slew of robberies and our cars were rummaged through a week before. It’s just so hard. It’s just terrible. Most of my neighbors know Rocky, so they love him. He’s a good old dog.”

Attorney raises training questions

The family’s attorney, Carl Arnold, is reviewing the police report and believes several aspects contradict Nevada’s dog‑encounter training. He noted that the officer ran after exiting his vehicle, contrary to the “Do not run” directive in the training. “There are many other things he could have done—use a barrier, a flashlight, or stay in his car and position the door between himself and the dogs,” Arnold said. He has not yet received the officer’s individual training records and has requested both those records and the officer’s use‑of‑force history.

Arnold also questioned why the officer did not wait for animal‑control professionals. “How come he just did not wait? Get the experts out there, animal control, to come out there and take care of these dogs and return them to their homes. That’s what should have happened.”

Background on Henderson’s dog‑encounter policies

Earlier this year, News 3 reported that Henderson police had not provided state‑mandated training on dog encounters for at least five years after the fatal shooting of Bruno, a 7‑year‑old boxer mix, during a wellness check. Following that incident, the department required officers to watch a training video and sign a roster confirming completion.

The city’s call‑history report shows five animal‑related calls at the residence dating back to July 2022, including the Oct. 2 incident, as well as prior animal‑protection and animal‑control visits for barking and whimpering.

As the investigation continues, the family and their attorney are seeking answers about the officer’s actions, training compliance, and whether alternative, less‑lethal options could have prevented Rocky’s death.

Original reporting: News 3 KSNV Las Vegas (local) — read the source article.