Knox County Sheriff’s Office Sued for Dog Bite

While law enforcement officials are legally allowed to use K-9 units to search for and detain alleged criminals, is it possible that they can sometimes go too far? A Knox County woman is suing the local sheriff’s office for excessive force after a dog bite left her with medical bills totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The incident happened in March 2024. The woman was approached by a Knox County sheriff’s deputy at a Weigel’s in West Knox County. The deputy had received calls accusing the woman of stealing packages and decorations off porches. The deputy pulled a gun on the woman. He then threatened to tase her before taking her to the ground.

The deputy told the woman to stop resisting or he will release his K-9. He released his Belgian Malinois K-9, Dolly, on the woman, biting her for about two minutes. The dog refused to let go after several orders from the deputy.

The woman was arrested for theft, DUI, and resisting arrest. A bottle of Jim Beam was found in her vehicle. An expert reviewed the body camera footage and did not think the woman was resisting at all.

The woman was indicted by a grand jury in February and is awaiting trial. The woman filed a federal lawsuit against Knox County, the deputy, and several other employees from the Knox County Sheriff’s Office. The lawsuit alleges negligence, battery, and excessive force.

The suit also alleged that the woman was denied medical care by the sheriff’s office. While she was treated for the dog bite at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, doctors gave her one dose of an antibiotic. Doctors then gave another dose to sheriff’s office personnel to give to the woman when she got to the detention facility, but she claims she never received it.

The dog bite was so severe that the woman had to have several surgeries and debridement on her leg after the bite. Her medical bills amounted to more than $450,000. In the lawsuit, she is asking for $7.5 million in compensatory and punitive damages.

 What is Excessive Force by Police? 

Did excessive force apply in this case? Most likely. It is unknown why tasers and a K-9 unit were used in this case.

Excessive force by police refers to situations where law enforcement officers use more physical power than necessary to control a situation or subdue a person. This can involve physical violence, the misuse of weapons like tasers, or even deadly force. The standard is whether the force used was reasonable given the circumstances. When it crosses that line, it can violate a person’s civil rights and may lead to criminal charges or civil lawsuits against the officer or department.

 Contact Us Today

A dog attack can result in significant injuries. The woman in this case is lucky she did not suffer fatal injuries.

A Mt. Juliet dog bite lawyer from The Law Offices of Christopher Eads, PLLC can help you obtain compensation for all your damages. Even punitive damages may apply in cases of extreme recklessness. Schedule a consultation today by filling out the online form or calling (615) 622-6060.

Source:

wbir.com/article/news/investigations/woman-sues-knox-county-after-k-9-bites-leaves-severe-wounds/51-106754ef-b18a-4b26-9979-af5404d9bda9