Backlash grows after Memphis Safe Task Force arrest video shows officer kicking a small dog twice

Viral video prompts scrutiny of task force conduct during February 4 warrant arrest in Whitehaven

A brief cellphone video recorded during a Memphis Safe Task Force arrest operation has drawn public backlash after showing a task force member kick a small dog during the execution of an arrest warrant in Whitehaven. The incident occurred on February 4, 2026, at an apartment complex near East Raines Road and Elvis Presley Boulevard, as officers worked to take a suspect into custody.

The arrest targeted Jaquize Henderson, who was wanted on a warrant connected to a commercial burglary case in North Mississippi. Henderson was taken into custody and held pending extradition proceedings to Mississippi.

What the videos show and what each side claims happened

Two separate videos of the encounter circulated online. In one, a small dog is seen being kicked away from the immediate arrest area. A second video shows the dog returning toward a working law-enforcement K-9, after which the dog is kicked again.

The dog’s owner, Emma Hollingsworth, publicly identified herself as the person who posted the footage and said her nine-month-old miniature schnauzer, identified as “Yoshi,” was injured. Hollingsworth said the dog suffered a fractured rib and has been recovering. She also disputed that she could have safely retrieved the dog at the moment the incident unfolded, saying she was unable to get past officers at her doorway.

Federal authorities defended the actions as a rapid safety response, stating that the small dog repeatedly attempted to attack the working K-9 and that the owner was instructed to restrain the animal but did not do so. The agency described the kicks as a defensive effort to control the environment during a high-risk warrant operation.

Policy and training context: animals during law-enforcement operations

The incident has renewed attention on how officers are trained to assess and respond to animals during calls. Tennessee law provides for police training that may include instruction in animal behavior and canine behavior, including identifying signs of aggression and methods to neutralize threats while using the least amount of force necessary to protect people.

Separately, Tennessee law treats police dogs as “service animals” for certain legal purposes, reflecting their specialized role in law enforcement and the heightened emphasis agencies place on their protection during operations.

The broader backdrop: a high-visibility task force under scrutiny

The Memphis Safe Task Force is a multi-agency initiative involving federal, state, and local partners, with participation from the Tennessee National Guard in a support role. The operation has reported thousands of arrests and large numbers of firearms seizures since launching in 2025, while also attracting criticism about enforcement intensity, transparency, and its impact on public trust.

The dog-kicking video has become a focal point in that wider debate, raising questions that typically follow controversial use-of-force incidents: what officers perceived in real time, whether de-escalation options were available, and how agencies review split-second decisions when injuries occur.

• The arrest operation took place February 4, 2026, during the execution of a warrant for Jaquize Henderson.
• Two videos show a small dog being kicked away from a working K-9 during the operation.
• The dog’s owner reported a rib fracture; federal authorities described the kicks as a defensive measure amid an uncontrolled animal encounter.

Key unresolved issues include the sequence of commands given on scene, the owner’s ability to comply in the moment, and what internal review—if any—will conclude about whether force used against the animal was necessary and proportionate.