Nipsey’s Ten Pups Perished Without Nursing Mother

Tonight, we have a very unfortunate update on Nipsey, the Staffordshire Terrier, and her pups. Regrettably, all ten of Nipsey’s pups passed away over the weekend. Viewers may recall that on June twelfth, a police officer entered a property on Supal Street seeking the whereabout of an individual. After he was reportedly informed that the individual was not at the location and advised not to venture too far into the back of the property because a nursing dog was there, the officer proceeded against the advice. Nipsey’s owner says she barked at the officer to protect her pups. That is when he pulled out his service weapon and shot Nipsey in the face. The dog survived the ordeal and is at home recovering. Her pups became collateral damage. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Two-year-old Nipsey, a blue Staffy, is recovering after being shot in the face by a cop four weeks ago. Nipsey was nursing her ten pups and a chihuahua when the incident occurred. Nipsey’s owner introduced her to us today. She immediately leaned in and wagged her tail, obviously relaxed as she welcomed petting. The police officer that shot her says he feared for his life while inside the property seeking the whereabouts of an individual. Nipsey’s owner says her dog was simply being protective as a nursing mother. Over the weekend, however, the family’s worst fear was realized. Nipsey’s ten pups passed away.

 

Royanne Riverol, Nipsey’s Owner

“All of them, within one week, all of them just died. It is devastating for us because we took a lot of time, dedication, sleepless nights to assist these little pups and unfortunately all of them just gone.”

 

 

 

 

 

Nipsey spent several days at the Animal Medical Centre after the officer shot her. A scar remains on her face as a reminder of the bullet that entered above her mouth and exited below her jaw. But when she returned home from the vet, she was unable to continue nursing her ten pups due to the medication she was prescribed. Their chances of survival decreased with every passing day.

 

 

 

 

Royanne Riverol

“We started off with a powder milk, then we went to an expensive one. That process, we had to even put in, blend the puppy chow, mix it with the milk in order for them to taste it and try to eat it. It is not an easy task, it is very difficult. Sometimes they did not want to take it, but we had to force them to take it.”

 

The pups were not eating despite Riverol and her brothers’ best efforts.

 

 

Royanne Riverol

“They needed her, up to ten weeks they needed her milk. Because of all the medication she was taking, antibiotics and inflammatory medication that would have put a toll on the puppies and let them die as well, because the medication as too strong. Up to now Nipsey is still trying to heal.”

 

Riverol says the family made a report to the Belize Police Department’s Professional Standards Branch against the police officer that shot Nipsey. They are yet to receive an update on the investigation into their report. Riverol says she looks back on June thirteenth with the same level of frustration.

 

Royanne Riverol

“He did things wrongly. He could have adhered to what had been said to him. My brother was not here at the time and my mom explained to him that they need to come back another time when he is here. He took it upon himself to enter the property without even asking if he can enter. He just barged into the yard and did what he thinks was to be done. I am frustrated about this whole thing that he actually shot my dog and let all my puppy die because of his negligence. He should not have done that because my dog would not have hurt him. Nipsey is one of the family member. She would not have attacked him because she never attacked anybody.”

 

 

…and we witnessed that firsthand today when we met a friendly and playful Nipsey. The family believes they deserve compensation for the resources they have used up to care for Nipsey and her pups following the ordeal, as well as for the loss of the pups and the emotional toll this experience has taken on them. They say that they are seeking an audience with the Commissioner of Police.

 

 

 

 

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police, June 14, 2024

“I know P.S.B. has taken the complaint and so the matter will be dealt with by the Professional Standard Branch. Certainly, the action of the police is not one that the police will condone. We don’t think the officer ought to have used the amount of force he used on that dog and yes there were reasons for the police to be there but the amount of force the police used was not justified.”

 

 

 

Royanne Riverol

“The only thing is that yes, my Nipsey is here with us still. I am grateful that she is still here because my whole little life would have broken down, because they love her.”

 

Riverol also owns a Chihuahua pup that was born only a day after Nipsey’s pups. Nipsey began nursing the chihuahua because the pup’s mother was unable to do so. The chihuahua, though weak, is the only survivor six weeks after birth. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.