Police Tased a Blind Veteran and His K9 Dog in Public—7 Mins Later, Military Convoy Blocked the Road

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Joseph Murphy’s day began as it always did. With Shadow at his side, he left his modest apartment, his steps measured and familiar. The two were a fixture in the neighborhood: Joseph with his white cane, Shadow guiding him with quiet, unyielding loyalty. They passed the bakery, the library where Joseph read to children, and the small park where Shadow had, just days before, saved a young boy from an oncoming car.

But as they approached the crosswalk at Elm and Third, something felt off. Shadow, always calm and obedient, stopped abruptly. The crosswalk signal beeped, but the dog refused to move. Joseph, trusting his companion’s instincts, hesitated.

Unbeknownst to them, a patrol car was parked nearby. Inside, Officers Miller and Davis watched, impatience building. “He’s blocking traffic again,” Miller muttered, ignoring the service dog vest and white cane.

What happened next would be captured by dozens of phones and replayed across the country.

A Tragedy Unfolds in Broad Daylight

Officer Miller barked orders through the patrol car’s loudspeaker, startling Joseph. Shadow, sensing danger, moved to shield his handler. As traffic built up, Miller and Davis exited their vehicle. Miller, frustrated, drew his taser. “Move. Control your dog or I’ll shoot,” he shouted.

Joseph, confused and frightened, pleaded, “I’m blind. Please don’t shoot.” But in a split second, the taser fired. Shadow leaped to shield Joseph, taking the brunt of the shock. Both collapsed—Shadow convulsing, Joseph wounded by a stray bullet as chaos erupted.

Bystanders screamed. Phones recorded. Children cried. And as Joseph crawled toward his fallen friend, the city’s silence shattered.

The Military Answers the Call

Within minutes, sirens wailed—not just from ambulances, but from an unexpected source. Military Humvees rolled into the intersection, blocking off the roads. General Michael Vance, a decorated officer who had once served with Joseph overseas, stepped out, his presence a silent rebuke to the city’s failure.

General Vance ordered immediate medical attention for both Joseph and Shadow, demanding accountability from the officers involved. The message was clear: No soldier, human or canine, is left behind.

A City Confronts Its Conscience

As Joseph and Shadow fought for their lives in the hospital, the story exploded online. The hashtag #JusticeForShadow trended nationwide. Vigils sprung up outside the hospital. Veterans, disability advocates, and animal lovers rallied, not with anger, but with a quiet, determined call for change.

Mayor Richard Kelton, facing a crowd of hundreds and a nation’s gaze, addressed the city. “We failed—not just in the actions of two officers, but in how our system allowed it to happen. Today, we begin to make it right.” He announced the suspension of both officers and sweeping reforms to police training, including mandatory education in disability awareness and service dog protocol.

A Community Awakens

Inside the hospital, Joseph’s first words upon regaining consciousness were for Shadow. “Is he still breathing?” he whispered. Nurses and doctors, moved by the bond between man and dog, did everything they could. Shadow, battered and weak, clung to life as if willing himself to stay just a little longer for his partner.

The city watched and waited. Outside, a little girl named Lily—once read to by Joseph at the library—held a candle at the vigil. “He taught me to believe in the light, even if I couldn’t see it,” she said.

A Nation Responds

The story spread far beyond Hamilton. Letters, drawings, and medals arrived at the hospital from across the country. Veterans sent their own honors for Shadow. Children drew pictures of “the hero dog.” A national conversation began—not just about police reform, but about how we treat those who serve, and those who depend on service animals for independence and dignity.

Healing and Hope

Against the odds, Shadow survived. The city held a ceremony in the town square. General Vance pinned a K9 Medal of Valor to Shadow’s collar. Joseph spoke softly to the crowd: “I don’t need to see. I just need to be trusted. Shadow never needed me to see him to love me. He only needed me to believe in him.”

There was no applause at first—just silence, then one by one, people rose to honor a man and his dog who had reminded them of the power of loyalty and the cost of forgetting to care.

A Legacy That Endures

In the months that followed, Hamilton opened “Shadow’s Way,” a center for training service dogs and supporting veterans and children with disabilities. Joseph and Shadow became symbols of resilience and hope. Their story inspired new laws, new training, and a renewed commitment to never leave anyone behind.

And on quiet mornings, Joseph, Shadow, and a new puppy named Echo could be seen walking together—proof that loyalty, once wounded, can heal a city, and that sometimes, the bravest among us walk on four legs.

Dog Prices 2025: Here are the 20 most and least expensive breeds of adorable pedigree puppy – from Bulldog to Beagle 🐶

The price of a dog very much depends on the breed. | Canva/Getty Images

How much is that doggy in the window?

We’re a nation of dog lovers, with around one-in-three households including at least one four-legged friend.

By far the most popular pet in the UK, they make for wonderful companions, all the while improving both our mental and physical health – and that’s a scientific fact.

The army of dog owners continues to grow, with 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, alongside numerous crossbreeds.

Choosing the right breed is absolutely essential – for example opting for a small dog if you don’t have much room at home, or a hypoallergenic dog if you suffer from allergies.

There’s even academic guidance to seek out, with Psychologist Stanley Coren’s book ‘The Intelligence of Dogs’ ranking breeds by instincts, obedience, and the ability to adapt.

There’s also always the option of adopting a dog from a dog shelter for a minimal fee – for example from the Dogs Trust.

But if you are wanting a pedigree dog (one that’s a pure bred registered with the Kennel Club) then you’re going to have to splash out – research from the pet experts at Pets4Homes shows that the average puppy in the UK now costs around £2,000 – more than double the average price in 2019.

But some breeds – due to demand or scarcity – cost significantly more than others.

Here are the 20 most and least expensive breeds of pedigree pup.