US Marshals Defend Officer After Kicking Dog During Fugitive Arrest

Video shows deputy kicking small dog during apprehension of wanted suspect in Memphis

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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A video has gone viral showing a deputy U.S. marshal kicking a small dog during the arrest of a fugitive in Memphis, Tennessee. The dog's owner says the officer had no reason to kick the 9-month-old mini schnauzer, named Yoshi, who ran out of the apartment as the suspect was being apprehended. The U.S. Marshals Service has defended the officer's actions, stating the dog was aggressively approaching a K-9 officer and the deputy's kick was a "last resort" to control the situation.

Why it matters

The incident has sparked outrage on social media and raised questions about law enforcement's treatment of animals during arrests. It also highlights the need for proper training of officers in handling animal encounters, as required by Tennessee's General Patton Act.

The details

According to the report, the deputy U.S. marshal was part of the Memphis Safe Task Force that was arresting Jaquize Henderson, who had an outstanding warrant for commercial burglary. As Henderson was being taken into custody, his girlfriend's dog Yoshi ran out of the apartment. Footage shows the marshal kicking the dog twice to keep it away from a K-9 officer on the scene. The dog's owner, Emma Hollingsworth, says she was unable to retrieve Yoshi because the marshal was blocking her in the apartment. Hollingsworth says Yoshi suffered a fractured rib but is expected to recover.

  • On February 9, 2026, the incident occurred during the arrest of Jaquize Henderson in Memphis, Tennessee.

The players

Jaquize Henderson

A suspect wanted on an arrest warrant for commercial burglary in North Mississippi who was apprehended by the Memphis Safe Task Force.

Emma Hollingsworth

The girlfriend of Jaquize Henderson and owner of the mini schnauzer dog, Yoshi, that was kicked by the deputy U.S. marshal.

Yoshi

A 9-month-old mini schnauzer dog that was kicked twice by a deputy U.S. marshal during the arrest of Jaquize Henderson.

U.S. Marshals Service

The federal law enforcement agency that has defended the actions of the deputy marshal involved in the incident.

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What they’re saying

“'I was very mad,' Hollingsworth said. 'I was very angry.'”

— Emma Hollingsworth (WMC)

“'You're not supposed to do that to my dog,' Hollingsworth said. 'He didn't even do anything, why would you forcefully kick him like that?'”

— Emma Hollingsworth (WMC)

“'The dog tried repeatedly and aggressively to attack the working K9. The dog's owner was instructed to restrain the dog but did not do so. A deputy marshal blocked the animal to keep it away from the K9.'”

— U.S. Marshals Service (WMC)

“'While the appearance of the incident is unfortunate, the deputy marshal's action was not done with malice. It was a last resort, split-second action taken by a law enforcement officer to control the environment and mitigate a dangerous situation.'”

— U.S. Marshals Service (WMC)

What’s next

The U.S. Marshals Service has stated it will review the incident and the actions of the deputy marshal involved. The dog's owner, Emma Hollingsworth, says she and her boyfriend Jaquize Henderson have been evicted from their apartment following the incident and are now looking for a new place to live.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for continued training and clear protocols for law enforcement officers on how to properly handle encounters with animals during arrests and other operations. It also underscores the importance of building public trust, as viral videos of such incidents can quickly erode confidence in law enforcement's treatment of animals and the community.