In a dramatic legal filing, a New Orleans resident has accused local police officers of excessive force and civil rights violations after a harrowing encounter with a police K-9 unit. Winston Boyd filed the complaint in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana on January 9, 2025, naming Ann Kirkpatrick, Superintendent of the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD), several NOPD officers, and the City of New Orleans as defendants.
The lawsuit arises from an incident on January 22, 2024, when Boyd was allegedly attacked by a police dog while sitting in his garage at home. According to Boyd's account, he had fallen asleep in his chair when he was abruptly awakened by the painful bites of an unleashed police K-9. Despite repeated commands from its handler to release, the dog continued its attack. The situation escalated when Officer Wink reportedly handcuffed Boyd while the dog was still biting him. "The bite lasted what felt like three to five minutes," Boyd stated in his unsworn statement.
Boyd claims that prior warnings about releasing a K-9 were distant and unclear. He also noted that earlier interactions with an officer did not indicate any imminent danger or that he should be concerned about his safety on his property. This incident occurred amidst a police search for suspects involved in a reported carjacking nearby.
The lawsuit accuses the NOPD officers of violating Boyd's Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 by using excessive force and failing to intervene during the incident. It further alleges that Superintendent Kirkpatrick failed in her duty to adequately train and supervise her officers, thereby allowing such misconduct to occur. The suit highlights systemic issues within the NOPD's policies regarding K-9 deployment and use of force, citing failures to adhere to established protocols meant to safeguard civilians.
Boyd is seeking compensatory damages for physical injuries, mental anguish, medical expenses, loss of enjoyment of life, and punitive damages against all defendants for their alleged misconduct. His legal team argues that these actions were done with deliberate indifference and malice towards Boyd's constitutional rights.
Representing Winston Boyd are attorneys Glenn C. McGovern, Callan J. Johns, and Andrew Maberry from Metairie, Louisiana. The Case ID is: 2:25-cv-00080.