HOUSTON – A state district lawsuit has been filed in response to an alleged instance of police brutality involving a K-9.
Dewaune L. Owens brought the suit against Harris County and Sheriff’s Deputy M. Rudolph on Dec. 10 in the Harris County 270th District Court.
Owens explains that the incident occurred on Oct. 10, 2016 while he was on a lunch break from work. The plaintiff reportedly drew the attention of Rudolph when he struck another vehicle.
After coming to a complete stop, the suit says, Owens “began to run in fear due to the national attention made of recent incidents of police brutality.”
He eventually surrendered to Rudolph only for the defendant to “purposefully” release the K-9 on him. The dog attacked the complainant, to which the original petition claims inflicted permanent nerve damage on him.
“The actions and conduct of HCSO Deputy M. Rudolph regarding his failure to provide adequate care, well-being and his use of excessive force against Dewaune L. Owens while in the custody of the Harris County Sheriff’s was objectively unreasonable,” the suit says.
Consequently, Owens seeks unspecified monetary damages.
He is represented by Shelly M. Davis-Smith of The Davis Law Firm in Houston.
Harris County 270th District Court Case No. 2018-87651