EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — El Paso Congresswoman Veronica Escobar is demanding answers regarding the incident where a Border Patrol agent shot and killed “Chop,” a family dog in El Paso, during an unfruitful search.
On Tuesday, Escobar took to social media to announce she had written a letter demanding that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner and the Border Patrol Chief provide updates regarding the incident that happened on Sept. 9, where Border Patrol agents, reportedly working off a bogus tip, investigated a home in El Paso’s Upper Valley and despite the cooperation of the family, agents shot and killed the family’s pet rottweiler during their search.
RELATED: El Paso family seeks justice after Border Patrol allegedly killed their dog during search
In the letter, Escobar asks them to answer the following six questions:
Has CBP identified what prompted their agent to find and let Chop out of the bathroom where he had been placed for safety?Has CBP identified what prompted the officer to open fire on Chop?Did officers refuse to render assistance once Chop had been fatally shot?What steps, if any, has CBP taken to address this incident with the family?What disciplinary action will be taken against the officer who fatally shot Chop?How will CBP ensure that an incident like this does not happen again?
The family of Seth Daw, Chop’s owner, has called the incident “senseless, cruel, and entirely avoidable” and has taken legal action to demand answers as well.
Speaking on behalf of the family of Seth Daw, Attorney Marisa Ong from Singleton Schreiber, said the family wants accountability and transparency.
In a statement, Ong said, “This is not law enforcement. This is abuse of power.”
Ong added, “Border Patrol agents entered a private home under the pretense of an investigation, took advantage of the homeowner’s cooperation, and shot a restrained, non-threatening dog.”
Ong explained that the family is filing an SF-95 federal claim– a form used to present a claim against the federal government whenever there is a death, injury, or property damage caused by a federal worker.
Since news broke out of the incident, social media users have been using the hashtag #JusticeForChop.
RELATED: El Paso family claims Border Patrol killed their dog during search, CBP reviewing incident
A family from El Paso’s Upper Valley claims a Border Patrol agent shot and killed their dog during a search. Sept. 9, 2025. Credit: Family of Seth Daw
On the day of the shooting, at around 7:15 a.m., Border Patrol agents in jeans and t-shirts reportedly knock on the door of Seth Daw in El Paso’s Upper Valley.
The agents told Seth they were looking for migrants after they claimed they got a tip.
Seth said he permitted agents to search the house but asked them first to wait while he put Chop, who was a Rottweiler, away in the bathroom.
The family then explained that Seth went to get his ID from his pickup truck, and it is at this point that a Border Patrol agent entered the home and, as a result, ended up shooting the dog.
The family stressed that the agents knew– Seth had told them– that Chop was put in the bathroom for their safety.
However, despite the warning, a Border Patrol agent reportedly opened the door, let Chop out and shot him.
Shell casing left behind at an Upper Valley home after a family claims a Border Patrol agent shot and killed their dog during a search. Sept. 9, 2025.{ }Credit: Family of Seth Daw
Seth wrote, “I rushed back inside to find [Chop] bleeding on the floor, and he died in my arms after nearly an hour of suffering.”
Seth was left heartbroken and said that he tried everything to cooperate with Border Patrol and keep Chop safe.
The family also said that none of the agents stopped to help Chop.
The family shared a video showing the blood trail left through the home.
WATCH:
Blood trail after family claims a Border Patrol agent shot and killed their dog during a search. Sept. 9, 2025. Credit: Family of Seth Daw
CBP released a statement regarding the shooting, saying that the agency takes the incident seriously and is reviewing what happened.
CBP’s full statement:On Sept. 9 at 7:15 a.m., a U.S. Border Patrol agent was involved in a use-of-force incident in El Paso, Texas, during an investigation into alien smuggling at a residence. The incident involved a canine. The use of force is currently under review by CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility in accordance with CBP policies. CBP takes such incidents seriously. We will provide additional information as it becomes available.
The story had garnered national attention, especially on social media, with accounts like Now This Impact and WeRateDogs publishing posts about the story.
Social media account “We Rate Dogs” shares KFOX14/CBS4’s story about Border Patrol agents allegedly killing Chop, a family dog, during a fruitless migrant search in El Paso, with El Paso Congresswoman Veronica Escobar commenting that her office is looking into it. Credit: Now This Impact via Instagram
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