A Minneapolis mother is speaking out after a shocking late-night police entry into her home, calling for the termination of the officers involved. Ebony Dobbins, 34, says she and her family were traumatized when police entered her house without permission, allegedly waking her and her partner at gunpoint—all in response to a loose dog complaint.
What Led to the Incident?
On March 25, Dobbins’ Rottweiler named Rocky ran away from her home just before 1 a.m. After a complaint about a roaming aggressive dog, Minneapolis police say they spent over an hour outside Dobbins’ home trying to make contact by ringing the doorbell, knocking, and calling her phone.
When no one responded, officers decided to enter the home — not through the front door, but by climbing through her son’s bedroom window.
What Happened Inside the Home?
Dobbins says that once inside, police walked through the house, woke up her partner, and forced the entire family—including children—into the living room. She also alleges officers had their weapons drawn, though body camera and home surveillance footage released afterward shows only flashlights being used.
Video from inside the home shows an officer entering through the living room and opening the front door to let in more officers. Footage from outside appears to show officers ringing the bell and then running away, behavior that has been described by Michelle Gross of Communities United Against Police Brutality (CUAPB) as “playing ding-dong-ditch.”
Police Justify Entry Based on Safety Concerns
Minneapolis police defended the officers’ actions in a statement, saying that officers were waiting for Animal Control and became concerned after seeing children in the home who appeared unresponsive.
They claimed the entry was made through an already open window to avoid damaging property and that officers calmly announced their presence and did not have weapons drawn.
According to the police report, one officer explained that he kept retreating to his squad car between doorbell attempts due to fear of the loose dog potentially returning.
Chief Brian O’Hara has reviewed the body-worn camera footage and, according to the department, supports the officers’ actions as a necessary response to a possible emergency involving children.
Dobbins and CUAPB Demand Accountability
Dobbins and CUAPB are calling for the firing of all four police officers involved, as well as the Animal Control officer who responded. Dobbins believes the entry was illegal, intimidating, and completely unnecessary, especially considering the original issue was a missing dog.
She also claims that one of the officers boasted about using her son’s window as a point of entry, telling her on his way out, “Make sure you close your son’s back window and lock it, because that’s the way we came in.”
No Dog Attacks or Injuries Reported
Dobbins retrieved Rocky from Minneapolis Animal Control later that day. No injuries, bites, or attacks were reported in connection with the dog. The entire incident has since sparked public concern over how local police handle animal-related calls and interact with families during non-criminal investigations.