What to do if You’re Bitten by a Police Dog
Did you know that there are roughly fifty-thousand active police dogs in the US today? Even in this age of advancing surveillance and forensic technology, law enforcement agencies all across America and the world still rely on the keen nose of man’s best friend. Police dogs, or K9’s, have been used by law enforcement since time immemorial and won’t be replaced any time soon. These working animals are the product of a strict system of training and behavioral selection. However, that doesn’t make them infallible. Dogs can be controlled by their emotions, startled by external stimuli, or simply subject to the negligence of their handlers. Today’s Malloy Law blog post will explain what to do if you’re bitten or otherwise attacked by a police dog. Read on for the full story.
Can I Sue the Police After a Dog Bite?
One of the many beautiful things about the American system of law is the bill of rights we all enjoy. These inalienable rights guarantee the individual the right to seek restitution from any party that has wronged them. We take this for granted all too often, failing to consider the untold generations of humanity who would have no recourse against their rulers and the men who enforce their rule. Our modern system of law is not without its flaws but the mere concept of inalienable rights is a revolution for human dignity.
True, law enforcement officers enjoy broad legal protections and privileges which allow them to act decisively in upholding the law without fear of criminal prosecution. But this by no means makes all law enforcement immune to legal action. If you’re bitten by a police dog whose handler displayed negligence in handling the animal or employed excessive force against you or a loved one, the question isn’t “can you sue?” but instead “who should you sue?”
Fighting the Hydra: Pursuing Litigation Against Government Agencies
The individual police officer responsible for handling the dog that bit you may be legally insulated from personal injury litigation but he or she would be far from the only one. An experienced personal injury attorney will investigate all possible avenues for pursuing just compensation. These may include:
- The Police or Sheriff’s Department – Has this dog shown disproportionate aggression before? Have there been prior incidents with the dog or officer? Are the kennel facilities and other animal handling up to standards?
- Animal Trainers – Was the dog trained by a state or municipal agency or a private contractor? Does the trainer have a good reputation and a consistent record of quality?
- Municipal Government – Has the city or town council exercised an appropriate degree of oversight over the procurement and deployment of these animals?
The prospect of engaging in legal proceedings against a government agency may be intimidating, but government agencies are required to keep extensive records of procurements, allocations, and other transactions involving public money. These obligations can work in your favor when pursuing compensation. The law doesn’t just bind you, it binds them as well. It doesn’t just protect the powerful and well connected, it can protect you as well.
How Malloy Law Can Help
If you or a loved one has been bitten by a police dog, Malloy Law is here to help. Our experienced legal team employs some of the DMV’s dog bite specialists. We’re standing by twenty four hours a day, seven days a week to evaluate your case free of charge and plot a path to maximum compensation on your behalf. We’ll seek just compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Don’t wait, contact Malloy Law today and let’s win your case!
