SHREVEPORT – A high school student is suing two patrol officers and Bossier City, alleging a K-9 dog attacked him without provocation.
Sean Womack filed a lawsuit March 22 in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana Shreveport Division against the city of Bossier City and officers Chad Boyett and Troy Freeman, alleging excessive use of force, false arrest and violation of his Fourth and 14th Amendments.
According to the complaint, Womack was wrongfully targeted by patrol officers during an incident March 26, 2015. The suit says Womack was an onlooker and not participant to an altercation near 1434 Winchester Drive, and although the altercation did not become physical the police were called in.
Officers Chad Boyett and Troy Freeman arrived at the scene and the participants dispersed, the suit states. The lawsuit says Womack attempted to jump over a fence when the officers commanded a K-9 dog Torres to apprehend him. The dog pulled Womack off the fence and down onto the ground, the lawsuit states.
With Womack lying still on the ground per Freeman’s request, the complaint says, the dog attacked the teenager, injuring his face, chest and arm. Womack alleges the use of excessive force violated his rights, and caused him pain and suffering, mental distress and disfigurement to his face, arm and chest.
The plaintiff says Bossier City failed to properly train the officers and the K-9, falsely arrested him with no probable cause and violated his constitutional rights
Womack seeks damages, an award for cost of the suit, including attorney fees, plus any other relief deemed just by the court and a jury trial. He is represented by attorney Nelson W. Cameron of Shreveport.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana Case number 5:16-cv-00382