New York Police Dog Attack

A police dog can be used by the police as a weapon. Police dogs are incredibly fast and powerful. Their bites can cause significant damage and can even lead to wrongful death of the suspect or bystander. Police dogs are specially trained to detect narcotics, investigate crime scenes, and apprehend suspects. They can also be trained to attack. When a police dog is off leash and ordered to attack, it becomes much more difficult to control. Just like any other tool or weapon, police officers must let a police dog off leash and order it to bite or attack a suspect when it is necessary. Otherwise, in ordering a dog to attack, a police officer would have used excessive force. Victims of attacks by police dogs deserve justice. If you or someone you love suffered serious injuries due to an attack by a police dog, immediately contact an experienced New York police dog attack lawyer at Stephen Bilkis & Associates to discuss your case. We have the experience and resources to help ensure that you receive the justice you deserve.

Police Dog Attacks

Police dogs are powerful and their bites can cause a significant amount of damage. Victims of police dog bites typically must receive sutures and sometimes surgery. Dog bites can leave permanent scars. Examples of injuries that police dogs can cause include:

• Broken and crushed bones
• Deep lacerations
• Infections
• Muscle damage
• Internal injuries

Despite understanding the danger that police dogs pose, police officers often let them off leash to attack a suspect, when less dangerous options are available. As an experienced New York police dog attack lawyer will explain, allowing a police dog to attack unnecessarily, is considered excessive force.

Excessive force occurs when a police officer uses more force or violence than necessary to manage a situation. In general, the police are supposed to use the minimum amount of force necessary. If the police officer reasonably believes that their life is in danger or that the lives of others are in danger, they are allowed to use deadly force. Thus, police officers must be very careful when letting a dog off the leash and ordering it to attack a suspect.

Damages

Victims of unwarranted police dog attacks deserve compensation for their injuries and other losses suffered. With the help of an experienced police dog attack lawyer in New York, a victim of a police dog attack can file a civil lawsuit and demand compensation. They can sue for both economic and non-economic damages for:

• Medical expenses, for surgery, hospital stay, and medication
• Lost wages, for missed work while recovering as well as lost benefits
• Loss of future earnings, if their earning potential has diminished as a result of the attack
• Pain and suffering, including physical pain from the dog bites and mental suffering as a result of the attack. This would also compensate for permanent scarring that the victim is likely to have and permanent disability
• Punitive damages, to punish the police for their outrageous actions and to deter future similar actions
• Wrongful death. If the victim is killed by a police dog attack, the family of the victim can also sue for damages, including funeral expenses, loss of support, and loss of consortium

Contact Stephen Bilkis & Associates

While police dogs are a valuable part of law enforcement, they must be handled with skill and excellent judgement. Injuries by police dogs can be painful and can leave permanent scars. They are also often an indicator of the use of excessive force. If you were attacked and bitten by a police dog, you may be entitled to compensation. The police dog attack attorneys serving New York at Stephen Bilkis & Associates have the experience and resources to thoroughly investigate cases of police dog attacks. We will work hard to get justice for you. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent victims of police excessive force in the Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, Staten Island, Bronx, Nassau County, Westchester County, and Suffolk County.

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