U.S. Marshal Kicks Dog During Arrest, Agency Defends Action

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A Tennessee woman claims her dog was injured after a U.S. Marshal agent kicked it during the arrest of her boyfriend. The U.S. Marshals Service defended the agent's actions, saying the dog was 'uncontrolled' and 'aggressive', posing a threat to safety.

Why it matters

The incident has raised concerns about the use of force by law enforcement against animals, even in tense situations. It also highlights the need for clear policies and training on how to handle pets during arrests to avoid unnecessary harm.

The details

According to the reports, the U.S. Marshals were arresting Emma Hollingsworth's boyfriend, Jaquize Henderson, who had a warrant out for his arrest. Hollingsworth filmed the incident on her phone, showing one of the agents kicking her 9-month-old Schnauzer, Yoshi, as he got too close to the agents. The U.S. Marshals Service said the agent's action was a 'last-resort, split-second' decision to 'control the environment and mitigate a dangerous situation' after the dog owner failed to restrain the 'uncontrolled, aggressive animal'.

• The incident occurred on February 4, 2026 during the arrest of Jaquize Henderson.
• Hollingsworth took Yoshi to the vet after the incident and was told the dog had a broken rib.

What’s next

The U.S. Marshals Service says it is reviewing the incident to determine if any policy changes or additional training is needed to handle pets during arrests.