Plaintiff Kevin D. Miller, pro se ("Mr. Miller"), filed this lawsuit against Defendants Vohne Liche Kennels, Inc. ("Vohne Liche") and American Working Dogs United, Inc. ("AWD") (collectively, "Defendants"), under 42 U.S.C. 2009). He had several options at this point. Vohne Liche Kennels (pronounced Von Lick) is a full service K-9 training facility where the best of. The dogs are supposed to stay with their handlers for, I think, six weeks. Among other things, he sought an injunction against the City of Los Angeles barring the use of control holds. For the reasons set forth below, Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment (Dkt. Even without fraudulent concealment, equitable tolling may apply when claims cannot be discovered with the exercise of reasonable diligence. This is about maximizing profit from these dogs with the least amount of effort. In the context of considering whether the two-year statute of limitations for those actions had expired, the court explained that the defendant could amend his complaint, i.e., the Rule 41(g) motion, to add a Bivens or 1983 claim, and the addition would relate back to the original filing that was within the applicable statute of limitations. You didnt read the science! Just search Police Dogs and Protests and watch how wound up the dogs are. Well-trained K9s are very expensive. On May 14, 2008, Mr. Miller was pulled over by a City of Plymouth (Indiana) police officer for speeding while driving from Munster, Indiana to Fort Wayne, Indiana. IMO this handler is either panicking, doesnt understand that he is exciting the dog, or is making a show of releasing the dog while agitating it. Claims brought under 1983 are governed by the statute of limitations for personal injury actions in the state where the purported injury occurred. Saxton was given sole ownership of this dog -- removing any future liability to the city. The following facts are undisputed. Id. Seriously, that hold should be a death sentence for any police dog. The attack begins at 8:28. We see from the videos, its still happening. The training techniques and instability of some of these police K-9s, along with "baseless deployment" decisions and excessive force -- described as "barbaric" and "animalistic" by attorneys -- must be reined in. The court did distinguish cases in which defendants are added and relate back to the filing date, from those in which "the plaintiff names a fictitious party, or no party, as a defendant." Thirty plus years ago, I associated using a harness with puppies or dogs too young for a collar/choker and with seeing eye dogs. Some context for this quotation is instructive. Was this dog properly deployed on Bailey? Stop it. As such, the Court need not reach the merits of Mr. Miller's motion. Its an important one, and another case of dogs bred for completely useless and destructive behaviors, then placed in the hands of the people least able to control their own worst instincts. The two proceeded into a potentially highly confrontational scenario, where no bite event occurs. Rather, the process of taking the facts in the light most favorable to the non-movant, first for one side and then for the other, may reveal that neither side has enough to prevail without a trial. During 2010, the DOD saw an increased demand for military working dog teams in support of the U.S. Armys mission in Afghanistan, which prompted the creation of the TEDDs program. If the plaintiff does not have standing, there is no case or controversy, and the court does not have jurisdiction over the claims. Thank you, Colleen, for bringing this under color of law grave threat to attention, via your exhaustive work. On June 30, and while he was under investigation, Officer Joshua Saxton was promoted to Sergeant and K-9 Boyka was retired under the auspices that a "supervisor" cannot also be a K-9 handler. When the dog didnt OUT on the first command, why did they not HANG THE DOG until it let go? Mr. Miller learned of Vohne Liche and AWD from the defendants' responses to his discovery requests, which included training logs and certificates from Vohne Liche. To provide you with the best canine and/or training available! Heeling and use of chokers has gone out of style. Heeling seems to have gone out of style across the board. Two options discussed by the court were filing a Bivens or 1983 action. 226) the Court addressed the similar issue of whether Mr. Miller had standing to seek injunctive relief against former Defendant Paul E. Whitesell. It is not usual police or K-9 training to point a dog at anything but the extremities." Quiet: That still goes on at protests across North America. The standards have been lowered to keep the money rocketing in from the clueless. Sierakowski, 223 F.3d at 443 (quoting O'Shea v. Littleton, 414 U.S. 488, 495 (1974)). Ind. Without the choker, the handler loses a lot of control. . Its not over, yet. (you can delete but Ive got the same suspicions about some of these pitbull happy video channels, as well, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqPXcv-IE0k. VLK has trained Police and Military . Thanks. Here is a similar (new style) dog training video, speaking about agitation by soft choking the dog. A local dog whose handler was killed was half GSD/half Malinois. We invite you to browse through our store and shop with confidence. But these are serious dogs mauling people. 1998). The confrontation starts at 6:28. Carlos Balli, 29, seeks $2 million dollars after Arizona DPS K-9 Storm ripped off half his face. Id. The attacks in this report portray white, Black and Latino suspects -- some were never classified as a "defendant" since they were never charged with a crime after the mauling. Casetext, Inc. and Casetext are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice. Please consider subscribing so we can continue to bring you the best local news, sports and entertainment coverage. VLK has trained Police and Military Service Dogs for over 5000 law enforcement and government agencies to include the; National Security Agency (NSA) Polk County, FL United States Secret Services Owners dont understand the whole alpha thing. Two, when it comes to police "brutality" in K-9 attacks, it is often a "mentality." . "Due to this verdict, a 'retired' police K-9 can now breakout of its property and savagely attack and kill an innocent person without criminal culpability," we wrote after the trial. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzYOpaaxtAA, Thats what happens when youre armed with a soft drink. "A Star Tribune review of six years worth of St. Paul police dog bite reports showed that officers lost control of their K-9s on occasion, dogs regularly apprehended people with no instruction from handlers and that some bystanders were attacked while officers were following common practices." 1983 seeking damages and injunctive relief. They added that a "murder" while in police custody -- referring to George Floyd -- "very nearly did" happen here. That was pretty informative, Boni. Please register to receive news and information from VLK, Vohne Liche Kennels 2023 class schedule2023 Class Schedule. The MPFU looks forward to continuing to work with our law enforcement partners to address fraud, no matter how large or small.. "One can't file a suit against a nonexistent party, although one may be able to invoke a tolling rule to delay suing if it is not possible even with the exercise of due diligence to identify the injurer." - K-9 expert, Dr. Charlie Meloh. VLK then moved for an award of costs, including $5,525 for trial transcripts from Miller's first lawsuit. Also, I see that you are very knowledgeable in this area, your posts are very informative. Vohne Liche is doing a huge business with some pretty huge disasters without any reflection on their overall reputation. Hi Boni, Yes, that is email. Miami County dog shines in 2022 Hollywood film. Ind. 1998)). In comments, we would like your feedback on the Lafayette Police Department K-9 neck attack involving Sgt. Its stupid to argue with cops and its stupid to drive drunk, but this is the equivalent of being shot or stabbed for mouthing off. Richard Bailey Jr. was attacked in the neck by a Lafayette police K-9 on May 9. Training is only finished in the USA. These dogs are increasingly being used as a proxy for violence and being deployed on unarmed and low-level offenders, subjecting them to life-long debilitating injuries. I knew one that was banging them out at 5-10k after 6 weeks training. Colleen, Dunno where youd file this but its just proof that the rescue rabbit hole goes deeper than youd think. Maybe the movement should be aware of the injuries caused by these dogs. It was work. http://liarcatchers.com/drugdogsweeps.html Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar Police dogs on rare occasions have even killed people, including in Alabama, where a man died of a ruptured artery in his thigh after a bite in July 2018. at 837. I dont know what kind of budget local PDs have, but I hope they are not cutting corners up front trying to get less-than-well-trained K9s on the cheap. 233 at 7). In particular, he asserts that Defendants' failed to produce a manual in response to the non-party discovery requests. Our nonprofit began investigating the issue of police K-9 attacks on undeserving people six years ago. . Since when are these powerful, attack TRAINED dogs allowed to maul throats? North Port paid out $1.4 million in claims and St. Paul $2.6 million. Anybody remember when American Indian Movement used to break up police dog brigades by letting loose b*tches in heat? Here, Mr. Miller claims he was ignorant to his injury and who caused it. Police are supposed to PROTECT and Server. I remember using a more gentle choke collar (not spike ones) at training sessions. "VLK delivers some great dogs to the historic Rikers Island for the New York Department of Corrections. He also alleged a 42 U.S.C. It means that Pitbull owners are aware that one bite, and their dog is euthanized, no second chancescausing them to act more carefully although they still refuse to muzzle their dogs. He did these big flashy demos before selling crap dogs to Brittney Spears for $50,000 a piece. This settlement is another example of the exceptional efforts of our dedicated special agents, said Frank Robey, Director of the U.S. Armys Criminal Investigation Commands Major Procurement Fraud Unit (MPFU). It would be hilarious except for the poor arrested sods that are the brunt of this canine incompetence. The FSRs monitored the activities of the newly-trained TEDD handlers and dogs to reinforce and improve their techniques. There is no basis to equitably toll the statute of limitations due to the later-discovered training manual. Again, the good ol trainers before toy addictions and cookie wavershad this right. ." Violations of the noise ordinance range from a Class 3 misdemeanor, which carries a maximum fine of $500, to a Class 1 misdemeanor, which carries a maximum penalty of twelve months in jail and a $2,500 fine. VLK's training staff has certified city, county, state and Federal Law Enforcement / Government Agencies around the world to handle dogs. They are NOT pets or public relations fodder. Prosecutors said Jeffrey Ryans "wasn't resisting arrest" at the time. In the three I did watch, the suspects were clearly surrendered and standing or sitting still when out of nowhere the dogs attack. Here, the facts known to Mr. Miller-such as the existence of this theory as early as November 2009-even from the viewpoint of a pro se plaintiff, were sufficient to indicate discovery of his claims against Vohne Liche and AWD. All of the defendants have drug-detection dogs trained by Vohne Liche Kennels Inc. of Denver, Ind., which also was sued. Terry, This is just ONE recent example from BLM where the dog is clearly agitated, the officer is refuses to get the dog under control it so lunges out and grabs a protester. 1983 claim, seeking compensatory and punitive damages as well as injunctive relief. Occasionally, someone with good media contacts might get a story in about how their dog died in the jaws of a dog but when I was dog trainingI heard about it a lot more back then. Any time a human being is in proximity to a dangerous canine, the human being is at risk of grave threat. Id. The blades of an army-green helicopter chop frantically through the air. Do you need a K-9? Under the False Claims Act, Vohne Liche Kennels agreed to repay $900,000 of federal funds that it received for the fraudulently billed claims, and also agreed to pay a civil penalty of $450,000. They need to be bred out, then bred back for health, like pointers were but then the breed clubs would go into melt down. Spencer Erickson, 26, was attacked in the neck by Lakewood Police Department K-9 Finn. I often see pits in spiked collars and still dragging the person down the street. Vohne Liche Kennels, Inc., (pronounced Von Lick), is a full service K-9 training facility where the best of the best go for highly trained Police Service Dogs. Id. I.A.E., Inc. v. Shaver, 74 F.3d 768, 774 (7th Cir. Police K-9 Dog Bite Studies and Regional Investigations - DogsBite.org. They participate in a "testosterone-driven culture and a hunt for cash markets," she said. Im not surprised that dogs handled in this manner keep mauling their handlers and anyone else they can get a grip, on. We began doing so after reviewing lawsuits filed in the Pacific Northwest and how the "bite and hold" method of training was being tested in the courts. If you go to hashtag bluefall on twitter, they have many more. Vohne Liche Kennels is located along U.S. 31 about 14 miles north of Peru, and is one of the largest training facilities in the world for police and military K-9s. In another rare fatality, in 2013, Hayward police shelled out $1.5 million for not warning the victim they had deployed the dog in his backyard. at 838. Two years earlier, K-9 Finn had attacked an officer during a training exercise, biting him on the face and neck. Vohne Liche Kennels (Explosive and Narcotic Detection Dog Specialist) Single Purpose Concentrates on one effort - drugs or bombs or patrol, etc. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.. Mostly cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Remain mindful of these goals while examining the principal video in this post -- the Lafayette, Indiana police K-9 attack of Richard Bailey that was released in July -- along with the other videos that we link to, where these goals have been forgotten. In the case of someone running away *with a weapon* the dog can knock down+hold until the handler can arrive. Police will eventually be forced to hand over these records to Bailey's attorneys. VLK argued that those transcripts had been necessary to explore a possible defense of issue preclusion. It was so obviously low-quality dog handling. On June 8, 2012, because Mr. Miller lacked subject matter jurisdiction or failed to state a claim, the Court terminated the action against all municipalities and political subdivisions. (Rude kids are no fun either. Id. VLK has trained Police and Military Service Dogs for over 5000 law enforcement and government agencies to include the; plus civilian and police agencies Vohne Liche Kennels was founded in 1993 by United States Air Force Senior Master Sergeant Kenneth Licklider. Good Luck and stay safe out there! Norfolk is a criminal case, in which defendant sought the return of his property from the Government under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 41(g). It got to the point where just the quick pull and noise would make my dog heel. Sierakowski v. Ryan, 223 F.3d 440, 443 (7th Cir. Some of our Many Services, "VLK delivers some great dogs to the historic Rikers Island for the New York Department of Corrections.". Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles. The point of a dog, is disarming/diversion/psychological threat to ensure the handlers safety. Note that he cant seem to get the dog off until he turns his back to the camera. 1983 would still fail and Mr. Miller would have no relief because his claims are barred by the relevant statute of limitations. VLK has trained Police and Military Service . First, quote snip title of this valuable study: We Are All in Trouble When Trained Police K-9s Attack Yes. It was touted as the way Seaworld trains the sea mammals. I suspect that they stopped using OUT because the dogs are so inadequately trained that theyre afraid if the target shouts OUTthe dog will release instead of only responding to the handler. Josh Saxton, police K-9 Boyka and Richard Bailey Jr. Once trained, my dogs would heel with a regular leather collar. 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The court held Vohne Liche in contempt of court; thereafter, Vohne Liche produced the responsive materiala training manualon October 7, 2011. Go back to Barbra Woodhouse (who, hilariously enough trained Great Danes for police work, none of which every hospitalised a target) and Kohler who *knew* the dangers of the dogs he trained and knew most dogs were *not* naturally inclined to be good at this job as theyd buckle or overreact under the pressure.