A video recently went viral showing police officers in Coventry, UK, appearing to place a dog into a trash bin—sparking public outrage and concern from animal rights advocates. In response to the backlash, the police department released full bodycam footage to provide transparency and explain the context behind the incident.
The unedited bodycam video shows the moments leading up to and following the event. According to police, the dog was not injured and the action was a temporary solution to safely contain the animal until animal control arrived. Officers stated that the dog was at risk of running into traffic or harming itself, and the bin was used as a secure enclosure in the absence of better options.
Authorities hope that releasing the footage will help clear up misunderstandings and show that the officers’ intentions were focused on ensuring the safety of the dog and the public.