Police Dog Attacks And The Fourth Amendment.

Information on police dog attacks is readily available and paints a complex story regarding the use of police canines to subdue suspects. Further complicated the story is the fact that several attacks are unintentional and are committed against perpetrators and innocent bystanders alike.

Police departments are becoming more aware of the risks involved in using canine officers and legislation is forming to define peoples rights when it comes to the attacks. There are several people that claim the use of dogs to detain or subdue perpetrators violates the Fourth Amendment. This Amendments says that citizens have a right to reasonable seizure. Many feel that the force of the canine attack is unreasonable. It is also being pointed out that many perpetrators are not aware that a dog is being deployed until after they are attacked. This lack of notice further backs up the theory that the attacks are unreasonable seizure