An XL Bully owner expressed outrage at what she called a “cold-blooded murder” by police officers who fatally shot her dog. The incident occurred in December 2024 in Hillsborough, Sheffield, when Ghost the dog was shot by armed South Yorkshire Police officers following reports of the dog biting a woman and behaving aggressively towards another. Ghost, a three-year-old, nine-stone dog, was shot four times despite not causing any public harm.
Sophie Zaherali, the dog owner, was found guilty by Sheffield Magistrates’ Court for owning a dog that was dangerously out of control. Additionally, she pleaded guilty to making malicious communications against the police officer who shot Ghost. She criticized the police for what she deemed an unnecessary and unjustified killing of her beloved pet.
The altercation began when Ghost escaped from Zaherali’s home during a medical emergency involving her child. Unaware of Ghost being outside, she rushed to tend to her child, leaving the door ajar. The dog’s escape triggered multiple 999 calls reporting injuries. When police arrived, Ghost was near two individuals, and despite conflicting witness reports about the dog’s behavior, the officers felt compelled to shoot the dog to protect public safety.
The court heard that Ghost, classified as a banned breed, had not met the necessary neutering requirements, leading to the lapse of its exemption certificate. Following the shooting, Zaherali has been advocating for what she calls “The Ghost Act,” aimed at preventing unwarranted use of firearms by officers in similar situations and ensuring accountability if a dog is wrongfully shot. She also expressed frustration over delays in returning Ghost’s body and emphasized the need to prevent such incidents from reoccurring.
