SAN MARCOS, Texas -- San Marcos Mayor Susan Narvaiz confronted the public Thursday afternoon to address the storm of controversy surrounding an officer who stopped a car on its way to an emergency veterinary clinic. The couple claims their dog died as a result of the traffic stop.

Narvaiz says the city and San Marcos Police Department have received thousands of emails from across the country about the August 5th traffic stop Officer Paul Stephens made when he saw a vehicle driving erratically at speeds up to 95 miles an hour on Interstate 35.

Michael Gonzalez and girlfriend Krystal Hernandez said they were driving to a New Braunfels emergency animal clinic to save their teacup poodle, Missy. Officials said Gonzalez was pulled over, and then asked to pull off a bridge to a safer location. That's when he sped away.

Stephens pulled the car over again -- two miles away -- and told the driver to step out. When Gonzalez got out of the car, officials say he raised his hands and yelled, “she’s dead, she’s dead.”

Narvaiz admitted that the officer made an inappropriate comment to the couple after they explained the situation and pleaded with him to continue on their way. Hernandez said Stephens responded: "Chill out, it's just a dog, you can buy another one."

Stephens was reprimanded after an internal police investigation.

"We do not condone what the officer said. It was inappropriate and insensitive," Narvaiz stated in a release. "I believe the corrective action that has taken place was appropriate. I am here today to express our support for the San Marcos Police Department and our police officers."

Narvaiz said Police Chief Howard Williams issued a letter of apology to Gonzales and admitted the "situation was not handled very well." The mayor also said the story has led to death threats against the officer and called them "inappropriate and extremely unfortunate."

"We acknowledge the high emotion and concern that has prompted thousands of emails to be sent to our Police Department and to the City of San Marcos," she said. "I want to express our regret for this incident and trust we can use it to improve our service to our community. This is a sad situation for all concerned."