US: Dog Shot By Police Officer After Running Toward Officer During New Mexico Traffic Stop.

Belen, United States - September 07, 2026 New Mexico State Police shared video of an incident that led to an officer shooting a dog during a traffic stop. On Monday, an NMSP officer stopped a vehicle shortly after 8 a.m. The driver opened his door and got out after the vehicle was stopped, but the officer ordered him to return to the vehicle. The driver's dog then jumped out of the car and ran toward the officer. NMSP said the officer shot the dog to avoid being bitten. Authorities later discovered that the same dog had attacked a woman in Texas the previous month. According to an animal control report, the owner was supposed to quarantine the dog but did not do so. NMSP said the owner will receive a citation from Belen's Animal Control Code Enforcement.