A police officer in Minnesota is taking legal action against a sheriff’s deputy after being bitten by a police-trained K-9 dog named Thor that should not have been unleashed.
Champlin Police Officer Daniel Irish responded to a call from Keith McNamara, a Hennepin County Sheriff’s deputy, in March 2022 to assist in apprehending a driver who fled a traffic stop.
Although the suspect fled near a cemetery adjacent to an apartment complex and special education school, without warning, McNamara let Thor loose to track and capture the suspect, leading to the dog attacking Irish.
Both the suspect and Irish were hospitalized, and Irish argues that McNamara recklessly allowed his canine partner to go after him, violating his Fourth Amendment rights.
Irish seeks damages covering lost wages, medical expenses, and legal costs, as well as punitive damages.