A Black man in Jonesboro, Arkansas is suing a police officer accused of intentionally allowing his K-9 to attack while pursuing a suspect.
According to the civil rights lawsuit, the man was outside his home smoking a cigarette in May of 2020 when the officer, along with his K-9, was chasing a suspect described as a “slender Black man.” The suspect had run away from an officer during a traffic stop. The officer called for back up and an officer with a K-9 helped with the search for the suspect in an apartment complex.
In the lawsuit, the man claims the officer with the K-9 deliberately allowed the dog to attack him without warning, which lasted about 10 seconds. The innocent bystander was also handcuffed after the attack.
The lawsuit alleges the officer with the K-9 used excessive force and violated the man’s Fourth Amendment rights.
The plaintiff is seeking damages for bodily injury, pain and suffering, medical expenses, emotional suffering, and more.
This will be the third lawsuit filed against the officer with the K-9.
A judge has set a trial for June of next year.
More about the lawsuit and allegations can be found here.
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