SEATTLE — A Pierce County man has filed a federal civil-rights lawsuit against a Lakewood police K-9 handler and his supervisors, claiming the officer had his dog, K-9 Rock, attack him after he had been taken into custody.
Adrian Sims, 42, says he had surrendered to Lakewood K-9 Officer James Syler and two Pierce County deputies after fleeing a domestic disturbance in Bonney Lake the night of Oct. 12, 2017, and was in handcuffs when he was bitten. The lawsuit alleges he suffered “serious bite wounds to his arms, leg, torso, neck and stomach.”
Syler and Lakewood Police Department have been sued five times since 2011 for incidents involving police dogs and alleged excessive use of force, resulting in settlements and medical payments totaling almost $300,000, The Seattle Times reported. The incidents have resulted in severe, sometimes debilitating, injuries to suspects and bystanders, according to court records.
The lawsuit, filed earlier this month by attorney Stephen Plowman, alleges Lakewood police have a “pattern and practice” of civil rights violations involving the use of police dogs. The lawsuit is seeking at least $1.2 million in damages.
A Lakewood spokesperson said the city had no comment because the litigation is active.
