by Sturgeon, Missouri — A year after a small Mid-Missouri town was shaken by public outrage, the City of Sturgeon has agreed to pay $500,000 to the owner of a blind and deaf Shih Tzu who was fatally shot by a police officer in what many residents called an unnecessary and heartbreaking act.
Settlement Reached After Yearlong Outcry
The settlement, finalized this week, awards $282,500 to owner Nicholas Hunter, with the remaining $217,500 allocated to attorney fees. Hunter filed a lawsuit after his five-year-old dog, Teddy, was shot and killed by police officer Myron Woodson during what was supposed to be a routine animal-control call.
Hunter’s legal team said the outcome brings closure but not comfort.
“Mr. Hunter is relieved this matter is concluded, but nothing can ever bring his Teddy back,”
“Teddy was a good dog who did not deserve this. We hope departments train officers better so events like this don’t happen again.”
The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) helped support the lawsuit and praised the settlement as a reminder of the need for humane, properly trained responses to animal encounters.
How the Incident Began
The case dates back to May 19, 2024, when Teddy slipped out of Hunter’s fenced yard while he was eating dinner. A neighbor spotted the dog wandering and called police for help — a standard request in Sturgeon, where officers handle animal-control issues.
Body camera footage later released to the public showed Woodson chasing Teddy across a field, repeatedly trying — and failing — to catch him using a control pole.
Then came the moment that ignited a statewide reaction: a portion of the video, initially redacted, captured Woodson shooting Teddy, despite the dog being blind, deaf, and unthreatening.
Conflicting Explanations and Escalating Tension
The city first defended Woodson, claiming he feared the dog had rabies and acted according to policy. But that statement directly contradicted footage of Woodson’s confrontation with Hunter, where he claimed he thought Teddy was simply a stray.
In an affidavit, Woodson later said:
“I believed the dog was seriously injured and suffering. I followed and complied with department policies regarding deadly force.”
However, Hunter’s attorneys argued in court filings that the department had no meaningful training on humane animal handling. They also alleged city officials paid Woodson a $16,000 settlement after his suspension, raising additional questions about accountability.
City Turmoil and Resignations
The fallout was swift and intense. Former Mayor Kevin Abrahamson, who initially backed the officer’s actions, was met with community backlash and eventually resigned. His successor immediately suspended Woodson and promised an investigation — which the ALDF later claimed never fully occurred.
Public anger only grew as residents and animal-rights groups demanded transparency, officer training reforms, and consequences for what many viewed as an unjustified killing.
Meanwhile, Woodson reportedly attempted to enter City Hall multiple times demanding early paychecks, even after being barred from city property. He ultimately resigned and found work as a process server.
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A Case That Sparked National Attention
Teddy’s killing joins a pattern of controversial police-involved pet deaths reported in Georgia, Louisiana, Colorado, and other states. Advocates point to the Sturgeon case as another example of why better training and clear protocols are urgently needed.
The city, in its legal response, insisted the incident was isolated. But the backlash — from residents, national animal-rights groups, and social media — painted a different picture.
What Comes Next for Sturgeon
Although the lawsuit has ended, questions about Sturgeon’s animal-control policies, police training, and government oversight remain. Legal observers say the settlement could push other small towns to adopt more humane practices and improve transparency around use-of-force incidents involving animals.
Community members who rallied for justice hope Teddy’s case will lead to meaningful reforms.
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