The city is paying her.
The city of Brentwood, California, has agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by Talmika Bates, who was injured during her arrest in February 2020. The city will pay her $967,000 after a police K-9 dog bit her scalp, causing significant injuries that required over 200 stitches. Bates, who was suspected of shoplifting, was hiding in bushes when the German Shepherd bit her head. The attack resulted in severe lacerations, tissue damage, and a traumatic brain injury, along with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Bates’ legal team described the K-9’s actions as excessive force, as the dog was allowed to continue biting her for an extended period. Civil rights attorney Adante Pointer emphasized the danger posed by police dogs, noting that they can cause life-threatening injuries even when the officer is attempting to control the dog. Pointer argued that the officer allowed the dog to maul an unarmed woman who was surrendering, making the situation a clear case of excessive force.
The settlement follows a ruling from a federal judge who determined that the officer’s prolonged use of the K-9 during the arrest could be seen as excessive force, leaving it up to a jury to decide. Brentwood Police Chief Timothy Herbert stated that the department and its insurance providers chose to settle to avoid further legal costs, although the court had already ruled that the officer acted within his rights to use the K-9 to apprehend Bates.
Herbert clarified that the only claim in the lawsuit was excessive force under the Fourth Amendment. He further noted that the department no longer uses K-9 officers following the incident. The case highlights the complexities surrounding the use of police dogs and raises concerns about their potential to cause serious harm during arrests.
In addition to the financial settlement, Bates’ attorneys stressed the need for greater accountability in situations involving police K-9s. The case serves as a reminder of the risks involved in using police dogs for apprehensions and the potential for harm, particularly when their use is not properly controlled.
