After K-9s’ Death, Shooting, PETA Calls On Columbus Police to Phase Out Use of Dogs

For Immediate Release:
October 16, 2026

Contact:
Sara Groves 202-483-7382

Following the Columbus Police Department’s announcement that a newly acquired Columbus police K-9 died Wednesday after attacking his off-duty handler—less than four months after another Columbus K-9 named Havoc was shot in the leg during a suspect pursuit—PETA sent a letter today to Police Chief Stoney Mathis, calling on the department to retire Havoc and phase out its use of dogs altogether. In the letter, PETA encourages the department to prevent future tragedies by replacing K-9s with state-of-the-art policing technology, such as tactical robots, drones, and portable mass spectrometers.

Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the latest incident but have not yet disclosed what preceded the attack or how the dog died. PETA notes that dogs—particularly those trained for patrol and apprehension—can bite when confused, in pain, or overstimulated.

“Two harrowing incidents in less than four months should be a wake-up call that police work can be deadly for dogs and dangerous for everyone around them,” says PETA Vice President Daniel Paden. “PETA is urging Columbus police to retire Havoc and phase out its K-9 program in favor of modern policing technology that can keep communities safe without putting dogs in life-or-death situations they never signed up for.”

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.

PETA’s letter to Mathis follows.

October 16, 2026

Stoney Mathis

Chief of Police

Columbus Police Department

Via e-mail

Dear Chief Mathis:

I hope this message finds you well. I’m writing on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) regarding the recent death of a K-9 who reportedly attacked his handler. We wish the officer who was injured a speedy recovery. Given this tragic event, only months after K-9 Havoc was injured during a suspect pursuit, would you please consider this an opportunity to retire Havoc and reassess the use of dogs?

Police work is inherently dangerous for everyone involved, and K-9 Havoc could have easily died during the shooting incident in June. We understand that the incident involving the newly acquired K-9 is under investigation, but it’s worth mentioning that police dogs – especially those trained in patrol work and apprehension – are prone to “accidental” bites when they are confused, in pain, or overstimulated. 

Ongoing improvements and innovations in technology provide exciting opportunities to phase out the use of K-9s with equipment such as tactical robots, drones, or portable mass spectrometers, which enhance safety and operational efficiency without risking anyone’s life. Your department may be able to secure grant funding for new technology through the Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, the DOJ Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), and the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. You might also find private or equipment-specific grant funding opportunities through PoliceGrantsHelp.com.

Thank you for your consideration and for all that you do to keep your community safe.

Most respectfully,

Allison Fandl

Manager of Special Projects

Cruelty Investigations Department | PETA