“Unreasonable” Use of Police Force Causes Norfolk Dog Bite Injury

by | February 2nd, 2015

Police dogs can be crucial to the completion of an officer’s investigation or apprehending a suspect, but they must be used under tight control in order to prevent a dog bite injury from being inflicted on a helpless victim. In fact, a complaint has been filed against an officer with the Norfolk Police Department after his canine inflicted a serious dog bite injury to a young woman’s leg. The incident has been ruled an “unreasonable” use of force.

According to an article from The Virginian-Pilot, the victim was leaving a party on Godfrey Avenue at around 2 A.M. after a fight had broken out on the front lawn of the home. As the victim was leaving with her father and two friends, officers approached and attempted to stop the party to discuss the incident. The victim told officers she didn’t know what happened and attempted to walk away. Officers then released a canine unit onto the victim and the animal bit her leg until she was arrested.

The victim required more than 40 stitches to close the wound and will require plastic surgery to repair the damage that was done.

Since the incident occurred, the Chief of Police stated the officer’s use of force was “unreasonable.” Furthermore, the officer has been placed on administrative duty.

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we’ve seen just how devastating a dog bite injury can be. That’s why our Norfolk personal injury lawyers would like to wish the woman who was recently injured a full and speedy recovery from her wounds.