An XL Bully owner expressed outrage and accused police of committing “cold-blooded murder” after officers fatally shot her dog, Ghost, following reports of the dog biting a woman and running loose in Hillsborough, Sheffield in December 2024. South Yorkshire Police responded to the incident, stating that they were forced to shoot Ghost when it acted aggressively towards a second woman, posing a risk to the public.
Sophie Zaherali’s pet, Ghost, was shot four times by the police after escaping from her residence, prompting a 999 call about a dangerous dog on the loose. Despite initial reports, Ghost, a three-year-old nine-stone dog, had not harmed anyone. Sheffield Magistrates’ Court found Sophie guilty of owning a dog that was dangerously out of control, based on allegations that Ghost had previously attacked individuals.
Mrs. Zaherali, 30, admitted to sending malicious communications to the police officer who shot Ghost, criticizing the unnecessary death of her beloved pet. She contended that Ghost was innocent and unjustly killed by the police, emphasizing that the shooting was unwarranted and heartbreaking. The court proceedings revealed that Ghost, a banned breed, had escaped without a muzzle or lead, leading to multiple 999 calls reporting injuries.
On the day of the incident, Ghost had escaped while Sophie was attending to a medical emergency involving her child, unbeknownst to her. Witnesses described Ghost as a beloved companion, with people often taking pictures with the dog due to its large size. Police arrived at the scene where Ghost was seen near two individuals, prompting the use of firearms. Despite conflicting accounts regarding Ghost’s behavior, the officers made a split-second decision to shoot the dog based on information received.
Sophie’s case was deemed to meet the legal definition of a “dangerous and out of control” dog under the Dangerous Dogs Act. The court deferred sentencing for further reports but indicated that a custodial sentence was not being considered. Sophie is advocating for The Ghost Act, which aims to prevent indiscriminate use of firearms on dogs by law enforcement and hold officers accountable for wrongful shootings. She also expressed frustration over delays in returning Ghost’s body and emphasized the need to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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