Amazon Driver Shoots Dog in “Self-Defense:” What Really Happened?

An Alabama family currently living in Birmingham describes the recent tragic event that occurred right outside their house. Their dog was shot by an Amazon driver who claimed he was there to deliver their package. On the other hand, the family claims they did not order anything from Amazon. Now, the family seeks justice.

The Event: What Exactly Happened

Surveillance footage from Sunday night was recovered from the house of an Alabama family, which showed a dog being shot. The footage shows a man who appeared to be the delivery person walking towards the house’s porch to drop off a package. He soon encounters the dog, who rushes towards him, followed by another dog. The man steps back and takes out his gun immediately. That’s when he shoots at one of them and disappears from the scene.

Family’s Response to The Tragic Event

The family faces an emotional toll after an Amazon delivery driver shot their dog. Rose Kirk, the owner of the house, describes the tragic event. She says she was in her home with her children on a fine Sunday night when she noticed an Amazon truck parked outside her house. Things took a turn when she next experienced the sound of a single gunshot. Surprisingly, she steps out of her home and sees her dog, Solar, bleeding. The last thing she remembers is that her two dogs were resting on their porch before their night was turned into a nightmare.

Kirk further describes her family’s relationship with the dogs and says they had adopted Solar and his sister Luna in 2017 from the Birmingham Humane Society. Ever-increasing, the two were part of their family. “They’ve been our love.” She spoke. “They did nothing wrong. They were at home.”

The Police Responds

The incident was reported in the police station at Hueytown, which was 13 miles Southwest of Birmingham. The Amazon driver, who fled from the scene, was interviewed by the Hueytown Police Department police officers dispatched to Kirk’s residence. Based on their judgment, it was a case of self-defense, and the police refused to charge the driver despite the family’s claim that they had not placed an order and the driver had no business being on their property. The Hueytown Police Department even shared a Facebook post explaining the incident and their final decision.

“It was reported that the dog was being very aggressive and charged at the delivery driver,” is what the department had to say. They added, “The driver, who was armed, fired a single shot at the dog in an attempt to get away.”

To read another delivery driver-related incident, click here.

Family in Search of Justice Hires Attorney

The family is distraught and seeks answers. They say if one sees a dog and perceives it as a threat, they shouldn’t dare to go near it. The delivery man’s response to their dog was entirely the opposite. “If I don’t know a dog, I won’t go near it.” Kirk further explains her point. “He noticed them, but instead of backing off, he did not.” Kirk describes the driver’s encounter with her dogs.

Furthermore, the family fails to understand what the Amazon driver was doing at their location in the first place when they hadn’t even placed an order. “He had no reason to be on my property,” Kirk said. The family refuses to give up, so they hired a Birmingham-based attorney “as legal counsel to investigate the matter.

Amazon Takes Action

Around the time when the incident took place in Birmingham, another incident was reported in Georgia, where a woman accused an Amazon delivery man of trying to steal her puppy in front of her house. Amazon Spokesperson Austin Stowe spoke on the matter. He stated that all Amazon drivers are strictly prohibited from carrying lethal weapons. This means they are forbidden from carrying a gun even when the state and local law permits them.

Carrying non-lethal tools is allowed, though. He further mentions that the company and the family are in contact and that the Amazon driver was suspended from his duty. “We are in touch with the customer, and we’ve reached out to Hueytown Police Department as they investigate.” He added, “The driver involved is no longer delivering packages for Amazon.”

What Next?

Solar is still alive. He suffers from internal bleeding as the bullet ran deep through him, from his shoulder to the chest. On February 24, Solar went home to his family. The family claims Lunar is still traumatized after witnessing the incident. The family says Lunar has been watching out for any cry she hears from a dog in the vicinity and thinks it is Solar. She gets alert and starts to cry. Kirk said, “I have to tell her that it’s not him and he’s not here, but she doesn’t understand.”

The family is hopeful about Solar’s recovery and eagerly looks forward to having him back home. What cannot be ignored is the fact that Solar requires surgery that will cost the family a fortune and act as a financial burden on top of emotional turmoil. A GoFundMe link has been created to help the family pay for Solar’s treatment and other medical expenses. The family says it’s a long journey to recovery, but they are grateful Solar is still with them.

Wrap-Up

Currently, the family is focused entirely on Solar’s recovery and healing from this traumatic event. They wish to generate enough money for the dog’s treatment and want justice to be served. Solar is kept in special care under a veterinarian while his injuries are catered to. The family is thankful Solar is alive and back home with his family again.