SIMI VALLEY : City Sued Over Use of Police Dog

In a lawsuit filed against the city of Simi Valley, a San Fernando Valley man has claimed that he was attacked and mauled by a police dog unnecessarily during an incident in September.

In his suit, Edward Sanchez accused canine unit officer Ron Chambers of using unreasonable and unnecessary force by ordering the specially trained German shepherd to attack him.

The lawsuit also alleges that Simi officers took pleasure in witnessing the dog’s attack, and that the city had maintained an implied policy of using unreasonable force against unarmed persons.

As a result of the alleged policy, Sanchez accused the Simi Valley Police Department with operating as a paramilitary organization, and said officers lied in explaining injuries received by prisoners and arrestees.

On Thursday, Simi Valley City Attorney John Torrance declined to comment on the suit.

The city rejected a claim April 4 by Sanchez in which the construction worker sought $800,000 for medical expenses, loss of earnings and punitive damages.

In his suit filed by Santa Monica attorney Juin Desrosiers, Sanchez said he was detained by Simi Valley officers on the evening of Sept. 22 at the corner of Medina and Hilldale avenues.

While he was detained, Sanchez alleged, Chambers arrived with a trained dog and ordered the dog to attack Sanchez without provocation. The lawsuit accuses the officers on the scene of violating constitutional limits on the use of force by ordering their dog to maul Sanchez.