Two dogs were running loose on I-84 in E. Idaho. Police shot them, angering a rescuer

Police shot two dogs running loose on Interstate 84 near Heyburn on Saturday to handle what they called a dangerous situation for motorists.

It happened near exit 211 just before 6 p.m., according to a news release from the Heyburn Police Department. Officers said traffic was at a standstill at the location, causing a safety hazard.

“The speed limit of this section of interstate is 80 miles per hour and traffic cannot stop abruptly,” according to the news release.

Police said they found two large dogs running loose on the interstate, which was causing the backup. Two people reportedly put their safety at risk by trying to catch the dogs, but they were unsuccessful.

Dogs didn’t respond to officer’s whistles, calls and shouts, according to the release.

“The dogs were not in range to use a taser. Recognizing traffic was heavy for Memorial Day, and in fear for the motoring public with great potential of rear end collisions at 80 mph, the officers made the decision to shoot the dogs at 6:03 p.m. Each dog was shot once and removed from the roadway. Neither dog had tags,” the news release stated.

Stephanie Carsner was one of the people trying to corral the dogs. She posted a widely shared video on Facebook detailing what happened seconds before the shooting. She claimed to work for an animal rescue shelter and said Idaho State Police had given her permission to come try to get the dogs.

The animals were thirsty and “not at all aggressive,” she wrote.

She said they had nearly grabbed the dogs when an officer approached and asked if the dogs were hers.

“(He) told me I should be at home, then told me he was going to shoot them. I screamed (sic) no he isn’t because I’m there as a rescue & myself & DOZENS of others almost had the dogs in hand,” Carsner wrote on Facebook.

Carsner said the officer jumped into his vehicle, and other law enforcement officials trailed behind him as he shot the dogs on sight.

Carsner is heard in the video yelling at the officer as he is seen motioning them to drive on.

One of the dogs was killed, but the other was left alive and suffering, she wrote on Facebook. Carsner said shooting the dogs was unnecessary, and she called for the officer’s dismissal.

Carsner has not responded to a request for comment.

Heyburn police referenced Carsner’s Facebook post and video in the news release. Stopping on the interstate to try to help “highlights the potential safety risks these dogs were presenting to the public,” the department said. “These circumstances are not easy for first responders or the public.”

“It is vital to note, the above information is based on a preliminary and ongoing investigation. The understanding of the facts and circumstances may change as additional evidence is collected and analyzed by investigators.”

Carsner questioned the information presented in the police news release and wrote that she wants “justice for these fur babies.”

This story was originally published May 30, 2023 at 2:28 PM.