TN - Federal Officers Kick Puppy, Break its Ribs, Memphis, 4 February 2026

[Vaderman]

U.S. Marshals defend officer seen on video kicking dog during arrest, call it a necessary action

A Memphis woman is asking for answers after her dog was injured by a U.S. Marshal. She said it happened during the arrest of her boyfriend outside of a Whitehaven apartment complex Wednesday.

www.fox13memphis.com

"My dog came out running. He was like, 'What's going on?' And so the U.S. Marshal had kicked him very hard, forcefully, for no reason," she said.

She said afterward, she took him to the veterinarian. He was diagnosed with a broken rib and now has to take medication. She said she posted the video to social media to document what happened.
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In a statement, the U.S. Marshal Service said officers with the Memphis Safe Task Force were arresting Henderson when "a dog from one of the apartments got loose and tried repeatedly and aggressively to attack the working K9." The dog owner was told to restrain the animal but the owner "did not do so," the agency said.

Dog kicked by Memphis Safe Task Force member on the mend as US Marshals defend action

The dog’s owner told Action News 5 that the deputy U.S. marshal seen punting her pup had no reason to do so, but officials with the U.S. Marshals Service say otherwise.

www.actionnews5.com