Deputy Darius Clark

Law Enforcement Professional
Apex
North Carolina

A cop walks up to the front door of a family’s home. Nobody answers the door, so he just lets himself in and begins to look around. About a minute later, shots ring out from inside the house. He just shot the family dog. The husband was at work. The wife was out of town. The 4 kids were at school. It was just Zelda, the family’s beloved Belgian Malinois, being a good girl, doing her job protecting their home from intruders. Then the cop walks back outside.

Does he call the family to tell them what happened? No. He calls more cops and basically an army of police officers arrive at this home in this quiet neighborhood, and they begin to circle the wagons. They then proceed to go all through the family’s home, garage and backyard, for a period of about 40 minutes – all without even notifying this family, or obtaining their permission to do so. Oh, and also – without a warrant. Surely they made this right with the family? Apologized? Compensated them in some way? Surely they fired the officer and prosecuted him for unlawfully entering the family’s home and killing their dog?

REPORT

Deputy Darious Report Woke County, North Carolina Sheriff department

Details: https://thecivilrightslawyer.com/2026..

“He came right at me, and I put my leg out like this. That’s when he bit me and I had to unfortunately shoot him,” the deputy said.

The video also shows the deputy telling another officer that he didn’t hear the dog bark while he was inside.

Briggs told WRAL News in April that it’s not unusual for the house to be a mess, lights on and doors unlocked with four kids and a lot of rushing around, but she says the deputy had no right to enter the home.

On Thursday, Briggs expressed her disappointment in the department’s decision to reinstate the deputy.

“While it’s personal for us because of our pet, it should bother everybody in Wake County that he is going to be on the job,” she said.

The Wake County Sheriff’s Office said it reviewed the circumstances behind the shooting and decided the deputy would remain employed with the sheriff’s office.

“We recognize the attention this matter has received and acknowledge the concerns that have been raised,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement to WRAL News, adding that they notified Briggs and her family of the decision.

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WRAL News has learned a deputy who shot and killed a dog after he entered the house in April will remain with the Wake County Sheriff’s Office after nearly two months of administrative leave.

The deputy entered a home on Lord Berkley Road in April to serve a civil process warrant, when the sheriff’s office said the dog, named Zelda, a Belgian Malinois, bit the deputy after he entered.

The deputy then shot and killed the dog and walked outside.

“She was killed inside her home doing what she was supposed to do; she gave us security,” said Paige Briggs, the dog’s owner. “It’s disappointing that [the deputy] gets to go back without any consequences.”

In security camera footage of the home, which Briggs provided to WRAL News, the deputy can be heard explaining to arriving deputies and Raleigh police officers what happened inside.

“There were some doors open,” he said. “Initially, I am thinking things in weird areas, unkept, made me think [of] a break-in.”

The deputy then explained why he shot the dog.

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Sheriff’s Office, Wake County – Willie Rowe, Sheriff (is an idiot, who does not follow his ‘Core Values”

Not only did this deputy unlawfully discharge a firearm, in a public area, putting all surrounding children and families in danger. He entered a private home without permission or warrant. Committed perjury that was all caught on video and audio, went running around like an idiot with a firearm pointing it where there was no danger or need. These are the totally incompetent, egotistical morons who have NO BUSINESS being an authority figure with deadly force. Yet they destroy their own reputation for all the competent officers. A sign they are desperate to hire criminals, losers and morons which they let loose on the taxpayer. Accountability starts at the top, meaning the Sheriff is incompetent and sides with criminals not the people who pay him or who he is sworn to protect.

Our Core Values

We, the men and women of the Wake County Sheriff’s Office, pledge to incorporate our core values in every aspect of our service to our community. Our four core values are:

• Integrity – We pledge to maintain a strong sense of honesty, morality, goodness, and ethical character.

Accountability

• We are skilled in the performance of our duties and governed by the code of ethics that demands integrity by word or by act publicly and privately, the allegiance to our oath of office and the laws that govern our nation.

Transparency

• – We must value and nurture the trust we earn through honesty and excellence in service. We pledge to treat those we serve and have sworn to protect with courtesy, respect, dignity, and compassion to achieve that trust.

Consistency

• – We must always provide high levels of service, not just the consistency in the delivery of service. We will always strive to offer the highest standard of customer service always, without hesitation, for all residents and visitors of the County of Wake.

NEWS STORIES

>Wake County family outraged as deputy returns to work after fatal shooting of family dog
 

Wake Co. deputy who shot, killed dog after entering home to stay with sheriff’s office

PETITIONS

GET CRIMINAL, UNDESIRABLE, PROBLEM COPS FIRED
The Issue
On April 10, 2025, Deputy Darius of the Wake County Sheriff’s Office went to a family’s home on Lord Berkley Road in Raleigh to serve a civil warrant. The family was not home, but their 9-year-old Belgian Malinois, Zelda, was inside — safely confined to the kitchen, barking behind a closed door. Despite knowing Zelda was contained and posed no immediate threat, Deputy Darius entered the kitchen and shot Zelda within seconds. Bodycam footage shows the shots happening almost immediately after he entered, contradicting his later claim that the dog attacked and bit him. Zelda was more than just a dog — she was a beloved family member. The family is heartbroken and demands justice for Zelda’s unnecessary death. Yet, after a brief administrative leave, Deputy Darius was reinstated with no accountability. This is not just about one dog — it’s about holding law enforcement accountable when they abuse power and destroy innocent lives. The public deserves transparency, justice, and assurance that no other family will suffer like this Justice Post (Social Media or Petition Update) 🚨 This isn’t just about one dog. It’s about every voiceless animal abused by power. 🚨 I started this petition not only to hold the officer accountable for the brutal and unjustified killing of an innocent dog — but to spark real, lasting change. This is about making sure this never happens again. 💥 I am pushing for a new law that protects animals from cruelty at the hands of law enforcement. Officers are supposed to protect and serve — that includes the innocent lives that can’t speak for themselves. To the departments who think they can reinstate officers without consequences: your actions reflect on your entire agency. Protecting cruelty doesn’t make you stronger — it makes the public trust you less. We’re not going away. This movement is growing, and the message is clear: 👉 If you can’t treat animals with decency and restraint, you shouldn’t be wearing a badge. Please continue to share this petition, speak up, and help me bring this issue to every city, every department, and every lawmaker who will listen. Together, we can make sure this dog didn’t die for nothing. #JusticeFor[DogName] #ProtectAllLives #NoBadgeForCruelty #EndAnimalAbuseByCops #NewLawNow

DISCUSSION

Wake County Deputy Killed Dog in its home

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