police gunSan Francisco- A man and his dog were shot on November 9, 2025 on Market Street near Union Square after the dog allegedly bit a bystander and then turned on officers.

Incident Details

Officers say they were flagged down shortly before 4:30 p.m. by a person who said they had been bitten by a large off-leash dog near Market and O’Farrell streets.

Responding officers encountered the dog and its owner—described as a homeless man in his late 30s or early 40s. When officers moved to detain the man, the dog reportedly displayed aggressive behavior towards the officers. In response, at least one officer fired their weapon, shooting the dog in the right front leg. The man and dog would both run from the officers, but the man was shot in the leg and transported to the hospital; he and the dog were expected to survive.

The San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, San Francisco Police Department Investigative Services Division, San Francisco Police Department Internal Affairs Division and Department of Police Accountability. have launched investigations into the use of force.

Legal & Use-of-Force Considerations

  • Under California law, including Penal Code § 835a, law‐enforcement officers may use deadly force only when they reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent imminent death or serious bodily injury.

  • The fact that this incident unfolded in a crowded downtown area raises questions about de‐escalation tactics, the presence of bystanders, liability, and whether the officers followed SFPD policy and training regarding armed or aggressive dogs.

  • Families or individuals involved in such situations may have rights under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 if law enforcement’s use of force violated constitutional protections.

Seeking Accountability for Officer Involved Shootings


In A Police Shooting Incident, Why Is a Bullet Trajectory Analysis Important?

In a typical officer-involved shooting, the shooting officer(s) will attempt to justify their use of deadly force by claiming the person shot was an “imminent threat” to the officers’ safety, stating further that he either squared off with them, made a furtive gesture, reached for his waistband, or even reached for a gun or a weapon. However, police officers are trained that deadly force can only be used when objectively faced with an immediate threat of deadly harm or serious bodily injuries. Bullet trajectory analysis can either confirm or discredit a shooting officer’s version of the shooting by placing the decedent’s position away from the shooter. For example, when a person is shot in the back, it contradicts any claims that the suspect was charging the officer with a knife in his hand. Well-trained civil rights attorneys can pick up on these contradictions and help you win a shooting case when only one side of the story has been told.

If you or a loved one has been impacted by police misconduct or an in-custody incident such as this one in San Francisco, contact The Sehat Law Firm at (949) 825-5200 for a free consultation, or complete the form at the bottom of this page to discuss your case with our legal team.

Legal Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and should not be considered legal or medical advice, nor does it create an attorney-client relationship. Laws vary, and any referenced here may not apply to your situation. This article was created from secondary sources and may not be completely accurate. If you have any concerns, please contact us, and we’ll update or remove the post as needed.