Man Sues Eagan Police Over Alleged Lacerations From K9

EAGAN, MN — An Eagan man is suing the Eagan Police Department in U.S. District Court after an incident he says involved a police dog and resulted in lacerations to the neck. Nicholas Griffith seeks $300,000 in damages from Eagan officer Tony Lejcher after he was allegedly bit by a police K9.

According to the lawsuit, on Aug. 17, 2016, Griffith and his friend, who were both underage, were drinking beers at Hidden Corner Park in Eagan. A resident nearby then reported suspicious activity, saying there was an individual dressed in all black and a dark ski mask, KSTP reported:

The officers then called in Lejcher and a K9 to locate Griffith, according to the lawsuit. During the search, Lejcher spotted Griffith hiding by a bush.

The officer told Griffith to put his hands up. The lawsuit says as Griffith was complying he was bitten by the K9, which was running free at the time. Griffith suffered a number of lacerations to the neck, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit claims the release of the K9 constitutes excessive force and unreasonable seizure, which is protected under the Fourth Amendment.

Read much more at KSTP.

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