Kirstin Hamerslag, owner of Barbarella Restaurant & Bar in La Jolla Shores, has sparked a social media firestorm after posting a video (embedded below) on April 1, 2025, detailing a shocking encounter with a dog walker. The incident, which is not an April Fool’s prank, allegedly involved a woman walking two golden retrievers throwing dog feces at Hamerslag and her five-month-old baby, hitting them both in the face. The video, shared on Instagram, has amassed nearly 100,000 views as of this morning, igniting widespread debate about public behavior, pet owner responsibility, and accountability in the community.
The confrontation reportedly began when Hamerslag noticed the dog walker near her home failing to pick up after her dogs. In the video, Hamerslag recounts asking the woman to clean up the mess, only for the situation to escalate rapidly.
The dog walker, captured on camera, can be heard saying, "She didn’t expect me to throw sh!t in her face, did she? She’s so mad right now," and later, "I’m glad, I hope it got in your f’n mouth."
Hamerslag describes the feces striking her face and falling onto her baby, even getting into her mouth, leaving her shaken and afraid. A man, presumed to be her husband, is heard confronting the woman, saying, "You took a sh!t on my lawn and I saw you," to which the dog walker responds, "And I picked it up with my bare hands and threw it at your wife for no reason."
In a second video posted later that day, the dog walker further escalates the exchange, accusing the Hamerslags of targeting her because of her race and gender, stating, "All these tourists coming by and sh!tting on your lawn and you’re just like, 'you know what, today is the day! She’s black, she’s a woman, Imma come after her because she's an easy target,' right?” The accusation adds a layer of complexity to the incident, raising questions about potential racial undertones, though Hamerslag does not address this claim directly in her videos.
Hamerslag explains that police were called to the scene and they informed her that the act constituted a misdemeanor. Given the timing - during what she calls the "witching hour" when her baby and other children were hungry - she initially declined to press charges, wanting to focus on moving past the traumatizing occurrence.
In a second video posted later that day, the dog walker further escalates the exchange, accusing the Hamerslags of targeting her because of her race and gender, stating, "All these tourists coming by and sh!tting on your lawn and you’re just like, 'you know what, today is the day! She’s black, she’s a woman, Imma come after her because she's an easy target,' right?” The accusation adds a layer of complexity to the incident, raising questions about potential racial undertones, though Hamerslag does not address this claim directly in her videos.
Hamerslag explains that police were called to the scene and they informed her that the act constituted a misdemeanor. Given the timing - during what she calls the "witching hour" when her baby and other children were hungry - she initially declined to press charges, wanting to focus on moving past the traumatizing occurrence.
However, upon reflection, Hamerslag expresses regret over that decision, arguing that the dog walker’s behavior - throwing feces at a mother and infant - disqualifies her from working with other people's pets. She ends her video with a call to action, saying, “This is me saying, 'hey Internet, let’s make this right.' I asked the girl to pick up her poop and she threw it at me. What would you do? Let me know in the comments."
The incident has drawn significant attention online and already has over 1,500 comments, with social media users divided. Many express outrage at the dog walker's actions, particularly the targeting of a baby, and support Hamerslag's call for accountability. Others question whether the situation was handled appropriately, with some suggesting that the dog walker's claim of being targeted due to her race warrants further investigation. The video's timing on April 1 initially led some to speculate it might be a prank, but Hamerslag’s detailed account and emotional response have largely dispelled that notion.
"Maybe don’t confront people when you have your children with you, you never know who you’re dealing with," wrote one commenter. "There is always someone willing to farther than you are, and you found that person. You should have handled it right then, not cry on the internet about it later and say she 'threw it at a 5 month old baby'. You started a confrontation with a 5 month old baby strapped to your body and you weren’t prepared for how other people handle being confronted."
Barbarella Restaurant & Bar, a La Jolla Shores staple since 1999, has been under the Hamerslag family’s ownership since 2018, when they purchased it from founder Barbara Beltaire. The family has maintained its reputation as a festive, community-oriented eatery, known for its eclectic decor, seasonal celebrations, and pet-friendly outdoor patio. Kirstin and Blake, who manage daily operations, have also been active in local initiatives, supporting the City of San Diego's "Spaces as Places" program to create permanent outdoor dining areas in La Jolla Shores, fostering a vibrant community hub.
La Jolla Shores, a dog-friendly neighborhood with nearby beaches like La Jolla Shores Park, has strict rules requiring pet owners to clean up after their animals and keep them leashed in public spaces. Failing to pick up dog waste can result in fines, and local residents have long voiced frustration over non-compliance, especially in tourist-heavy areas. This incident highlights broader tensions around pet owner responsibility and public confrontations, issues that have become more pronounced in the post-pandemic era as outdoor spaces see increased use.
This incident echoes a similar confrontation last year in the Sail Bay area of Mission Bay, where a woman was allegedly assaulted after asking a man to leash his dog, an altercation that also went viral on social media in August 2024. The incident highlighted ongoing tensions over lax enforcement of dog leash laws in San Diego, with residents reporting frequent violations despite clear signage mandating leashes at all times and restricting dogs to morning and evening hours.
For now, Hamerslag is seeking community input on next steps, leaving open the possibility of pursuing legal action. The incident has cast a spotlight on Barbarella, a restaurant known for its welcoming atmosphere, but also on the challenges of maintaining civility in a community where tempers can flare over seemingly small disputes. As the story continues to unfold, it serves as a stark reminder of the need for mutual respect in shared public spaces.
For now, Hamerslag is seeking community input on next steps, leaving open the possibility of pursuing legal action. The incident has cast a spotlight on Barbarella, a restaurant known for its welcoming atmosphere, but also on the challenges of maintaining civility in a community where tempers can flare over seemingly small disputes. As the story continues to unfold, it serves as a stark reminder of the need for mutual respect in shared public spaces.
Originally published on April 2, 2025.
