The Internet is equal parts angry and saddened over the news of two young bulldogs shot dead by the police. Marshall and Millions were put to death on May 7 after the police responded to the call of a woman who allegedly said that the dogs attacked her. But footage of the incident that went rounds online is convincing everyone that shooting the dogs wasn’t necessary.

What happened to Marshall and Millions?

On May 7,  a woman who “was being attacked by a dog” called the Metropolitan Police for help. Met Police who arrived at the scene claimed that the “aggressive behavior of two dogs was of considerable concern and posed a significant threat to them.” Later, some reports would say that the woman only got caught up in the leash, was not seriously injured, and “never wanted the police to be involved.”

But the police did get involved and they managed to track down Louie Turnbull, the homeless owner of the two dogs named Marshall and Millions. A viral video (TW: graphic content) showed the horrible events that transpired while the police confronted Turnbull.

All dogs lives matter pic.twitter.com/qTnb87SQZp

— dominic dyer (@domdyer70) May 13, 2023

In the video, Turnbull was visibly in distress while the police demanded him to surrender his dogs. Marshall and Millions were leashed and had a lead between them. Marshall, a 3-year-old bulldog, was gunned down first after he barked a little closely at a police officer. Turnbull tried to pull his injured dog closer, but the officers began to tase him.

Meanwhile, the officers managed to catch Millions, the 9-month-old bulldog crying in distress. When they released him, he ran away to his owner while dragging Marshall’s body. The officer then shot him in the back of his head.

The whole world in outrage

We are aware of video being shared on social media showing part of an incident in Limehouse where two dogs were destroyed by police officers responding to a report of a woman being attacked.

Please see our statement pic.twitter.com/fAqdd9i05h

— Tower Hamlets Police (@MPSTowerHam) May 7, 2023

The viral video on Twitter has reached 1.2 million views, fueling the Internet’s rage. People started a Change.org petition to “Hold the Met Police criminally accountable for the barbaric killing of two leashed dogs.”

“This is easily one of the most disgusting, abhorrent, and totally unjustifiable videos I have ever seen and, once again, the Met Police need to be held criminally accountable for their unlawful actions and their unacceptable abuse of power,” read the description.

The police issued an apology on social media and claimed that no one was taken to the hospital. “Both dogs were destroyed by police at the scene. This is never an easy decision for any officer to take, but police have a duty to act where necessary before any further injury is caused,” it said.

Vigils for Marshall and Millions

We are here to remember the two beautiful dogs Marshall and Millions who were killed by the Met Police earlier this week, to remember all the human and non-human lives that are taken every day at the hands of the state and the police, and to hold the Met Police accountable for… pic.twitter.com/6nIHuUIXhz

— Animal Rising (@AnimalRising) May 11, 2023

On May 12, Turnbull held a vigil for his murdered pets. Some 200 members of the British animal activist movement Animal Rising attended. Many lit vegan candles, cried, and chanted: “No justice, no peace, they’re killing dogs on our streets.”

During the vigil, Turnbull explained that he was walking away because he wanted to put Marshall and Millions inside his boat before speaking to the police. “But [the police] weren’t having it,” he said.

According to a report, the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards has investigated the incident and is “satisfied that there are no concerns around officer conduct.”

The Internet reacts

This guy is clearly struggling. The only thing holding him to humanity is his love for Marshall and Millions, and @metpoliceuk stole it from him! #shameful pic.twitter.com/vbM8Bp4nuU

— Johnj0osmall (@johnj0osmall) May 14, 2023

“Marshall and Millions” trended on Twitter with thousands of people offering their condolences for Turnbull. A video of him cuddling his dogs on the train even resurfaced.

These fur babies didn’t deserve to be killed at all 😡😭

RIP Marshall and Millions 💔#JusticeForMarshallandMillions

Sign the petition to hold the MET Police accountable, friends👇🏻https://t.co/N1wlCcgVMX pic.twitter.com/gXtnCC0hMW

— Karla Marie (Kim) (@itskarlamarie) May 17, 2023

How could anyone sleep at night knowing they blatantly murdered these beautiful souls 💔 #MarshallandMillions pic.twitter.com/7TRDfw7FXa

— QueenVick (@queen_vickz) May 12, 2023

run free marshall and millions I hope those policemen will rot in jail my heart hurt so much while watching the video how baby ran to his owner to protect him but was shot by the police man. 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/rV1Lb2B6It

— KJK1 (@kyuporhia) May 17, 2023

What do you think of the killing of Marshall and Millions? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section!

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