The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is defending its new robot dog, “Spot,” insisting it will not be weaponized amid community concerns about its implications.

Designed by Boston Dynamics, Spot resembles a Golden Retriever, weighs 70 pounds, and can perform tasks like opening doors and dragging objects up to 50 pounds.

LAPD Deputy Chief David Kowalski emphasized that Spot’s purpose is to save lives, highlighting its successful deployment in a recent incident where it safely disarmed a suspect on an L.A. Metro bus.

Critics, however, worry that the robot dog represents increased militarization, particularly in minority and low-income communities, citing a troubled history of policing in Los Angeles.

Kowalski assured that Spot will not be armed and that Boston Dynamics prohibits facial recognition use, the International Business Times has reported.

The NYPD previously faced backlash over its own robot dog, DigiDog, which was removed after public outcry.

Written by B.C. Begley