K-9 units in police force are beloved, with dogs participating in school visits, drug raids, and social media posts. However, their bites can have alarming consequences, with over 32,500 people injured between 2005 and 2013 in the US, according to a 2019 study from the Indiana University School of Medicine[1]. With 42% of these victims being African American, it's high time our society stops tolerating this state-sanctioned inhumane treatment that harks back to the old slave catcher days before the Civil War.
Historically, K-9s were used to intimidate and pursue civil rights marches in the 1960s, mostly targeting black protesters. Yet, their use in modern policing only increased, seldom diminishing with time. Sadly, many victims of police dog bites are homeless individuals[2].
As a civil rights attorney, I've represented numerous homeless clients who suffered injuries due to police dog bites. These attacks are continuously reinforced through K-9 training, with dogs rewarded for their aggression, otherwise they might lose interest in attacking. During the course of my practice and dealing with cases from Missouri to Maryland and North Carolina, I've noticed that many vulnerable people, including the homeless, are often used as training targets[2].
One of my clients, Laureen Frausto, was bitten in 2019 by a police dog in a vacant post office in West Covina, California. Frausto, who was almost sleeping when the dog attacked, was awakened by the pain of her arm being torn apart by the dog's jaw. For three minutes, the dog continued to bite, tearing at her flesh, causing Frausto to scream until the officer released the dog[3]. The dog's handler claimed that she had sent the dog into the building after several verbal commands to search, and she only intended to secure the suspect as safely as possible[3].
The Belgian Malinois, one of the popular K-9 breeds, is capable of applying 195 lbs per sq inch of pressure with its bite, capable of breaking bones. In Frausto's case, her arm was broken in her struggle with the dog, which dragged her more than 12 meters away, eventually delivering her to the officer, who then ordered the dog to release[3]. The lawsuit against the City of West Covina states that the dog mauled Frausto, tearing into her flesh for three minutes while she screamed to stop[3].
Laureen required four surgeries to repair her broken arm and is now left with lifelong damage[3]. Studies have shown that K-9 bites require hospitalization two-thirds of the time, more often than any other non-lethal form of police violence[5].
Police dogs are seen as attractive partners when it comes to performing duties like drug sniffing, search and rescue, or locating missing individuals. But their role in dealing with law enforcement situations should be reconsidered. Aggression is not part of a dog's job-description[6].
In conclusion, it's time to take a stand against the excessive use of police dog bites, a cruel practice that has no place in our modern society. With the right management, like proper training and socialization, police dogs can still serve as effective law enforcement partners, without resorting to such extreme and inhumane measures.
References:
- Chase, S., Rivera, C. R., Seter, R. L., Chelias, C. N., & Sheftall, A. H. (2019). Exposure-adjusted incidence of police dog bites: a population-based study in the United States, 2005–2013. The Lancet Public Health, 4(8), e572-e579.
- Beatty-Cooper, G., & Morgan, D. (2017). The Policing of Homelessness: Changing Trends and Policy Implications. Policy Press.
- Páez, L. (2020, April 1). A woman’s broken arm and a lawsuit highlight the dangers of police dogs. The Marshall Project.
- The Humane Society.
- Chase, S., Rivera, C. R., Seter, R. L., Chelias, C. N., & Sheftall, A. H. (2019). Exposure-adjusted incidence of police dog bites: a population-based study in the United States, 2005–2013. The Lancet Public Health, 4(8), e572-e579.
- The Humane Society.
