A recent settlement has been reached in a lawsuit against the city of Brentwood, California, where a woman was severely injured during her arrest by police using a K-9 dog. The city has agreed to pay nearly $1 million to the victim, Talmika Bates, who suffered extensive injuries during the incident.
The incident occurred in February 2020 when Bates, who was wanted for suspicion of shoplifting, was hiding in bushes. During her arrest, a German Shepherd K-9 dog bit her head, resulting in the woman needing over 200 stitches, tissue rearrangement, and laceration repair. Bates has since been diagnosed with mild diffuse traumatic brain injury, mild post-traumatic brain syndrome, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
According to Bates' attorneys, the K-9 handler allowed the dog to bite her for an extended period, leading to allegations of excessive force. A federal judge had previously ruled that the officer's actions could be considered excessive force, stripping him of some qualified immunity protection.
In response to the settlement, Brentwood Police Chief Timothy Herbert stated that the city and its insurance providers opted to settle to avoid further litigation and appeal costs. He clarified that the District Court had acknowledged the officer's lawful deployment of the K-9 during the search for suspects but also recognized the potential excessive force used in apprehending Bates.
As a result of this incident, the Brentwood Police Department has made the decision to not have any working K-9 officers currently. The case serves as a reminder of the potential dangers associated with K-9 units and the importance of ensuring proper training and oversight to prevent similar incidents in the future.
