It is a traffic stop that's received worldwide attention.
"We have received thousands of e-mails and many phone calls from people who say they are extremely upset," San Marcos Mayor Susan Narvaiz said.
On Aug. 5, Officer Paul Stephens pulled over an SUV for driving at speeds close to 100 miles per hour.
Michael Gonzales, his passenger Crystal Hernandez and a dog by the name of Missy were inside the SUV.
The two were on their way to an emergency veterinary clinic in the nearby city of New Braunfels.
In dash camera footage provided by the San Marcos Police Department, Gonzales is seen visibly upset.
"My dog is dead," Gonzales said.
"Dude, just calm down," Stephens responded.
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Death threats
The San Marcos mayor says the incident does not warrant death threats.
 
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It's what officer Stephens said next that has upset so many.
"Dude it's a dog. You can get another one. Relax," he said.
Narvaiz said the incident was not handled as well as it could have been.
"Without question the situation was not handled well by Officer
Stephens," she said.
Since the story broke, the Mayor said Stephens and his family have received death threats.
"This is a sad situation for all concerned, but it does not warrant death threats," Narvaiz said.
Stephens was unavailable for comment, but because of the incident he was ordered to undergo counseling.
"I personally would like top see him lose his job and like to see him do community service at an animal shelter," the dog's owner, Gonzales, said.
Hernandez said getting a new dog would not solve the problem.
"I can get another dog like they said, but I will never be able to share the same relationship," she said.
It's a relationship many know first hand and hope they'll never find themselves in that situation.
