A Wake County deputy accused of shooting a family’s dog inside their Raleigh home in April has left the sheriff’s office, officials confirmed Friday
Wake County Deputy Leaves Department After Dog Shooting Incident
The Wake County Sheriff’s Office confirmed on Friday that a deputy accused of shooting a family dog while responding to a call had left the department months ago.
According to a Facebook post from the sheriff’s office, the deputy left in September 2025. The deputy, who was not identified, was accused of shooting Paul and Paige Briggs’ dog, Zelda, inside their Raleigh home while attempting to serve a civil process warrant in April.
Zelda died from her injuries.
The sheriff’s office stated in June that the deputy would remain with the sheriff’s office after being on two months of administrative leave. It is unclear why the deputy left the sheriff’s office.
Briggs Family Statement
Following the sheriff’s office’s Facebook post, Paul and Paige Briggs released a statement:
“Our family is devastated by the loss of Zelda, who was a loyal and loving member of our family for eight years. What happened in our home was not just a tragedy; it was a profound violation of our constitutional rights. A law enforcement officer unlawfully entered our home, invaded our privacy and executed our confined family dog, and then allowed over a dozen officers to enter our private property for 40 minutes without a warrant before we were notified. It was an abuse of power and a complete disregard for the sanctity of our home and the safety of our pets. Our 4 kids are traumatized by what happened to Zelda. This incident has destroyed their sense of security in our own home. We would like to ensure that no one else has to endure such a horrific and unconstitutional invasion of their home and privacy.”
Video Evidence
In a security video from the home, which Briggs shared with WRAL News in April, the Wake County deputy is visible on the porch. He opens the storm door, knocks, and calls out to see if anyone is home.
The dog can be heard barking off camera. About a minute after the deputy walked through their unlocked front door, four shots rang out, and the deputy shouted.
The Briggs’ camera recorded as more deputies and the Raleigh Police Department arrived. In the video, the original deputy explained why he entered the home and what happened inside.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Deputy Status | Left department in September 2025 |
| Incident Date | April 2025 |
| Dog’s Name | Zelda |
| Family Names | Paul and Paige Briggs |
| Dog’s Fate | Died from injuries |
| Number of Children | 4 |
