*A police officer in Salt Lake City has been suspended and is under investigation after ordering a K9 to bite a Black man’s leg while he was kneeling with his hands up.
The victim suffered serious injuries and required several surgeries, CBS News reports.
Disturbing video has surfaced of the incident that took place in the man’s own yard (watch the clip above).
“Get on the ground or you’re gonna get bit,” an officer is heard saying in the clip.
He then commands his K-9 to attack.
“Hit. Hit.,” the officer said. “I’m on the ground, why are you biting me? I’m on the ground, stop,” the man is heard saying, as the dog bites down on the leg of 36-year-old Jeffery Ryans, who is not resisting.
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Body camera footage shows that Jeffery Ryans was kneeling on the ground with his hands in the air when a Salt Lake City K9 officer ordered his dog to attack.
That officer can be heard saying “good boy” to the dog while Ryans screamed in pain.https://t.co/qYQkUnDWHA
— The Salt Lake Tribune (@sltrib) August 11, 2020
“Good boy, good boy,” the officer is heard saying. “Ow!! Why are you guys doing this?” Ryans asked. “Good boy, hit! Good boy,” the officer continues to say.
“Even when the dog starts to bite him. He’s, he’s still just laying there,” Ryans’ attorney, Dan Garner, told CBS News. “Looks like someone took a chainsaw to his leg.”
Police were reportedly responding to a domestic disturbance call, claiming Ryans was violating a protective order filed by his wife. Ryans claims the order was lifted, the report states.
“This guy had an argument with his wife. Have I ever had an argument with my wife? Sure, we argue, we’re humans. Have I ever gone out at night and let my dog out? Yes,” White said. “Could I ever imagine a whole troop or team of cops descending on a location with an attack dog and a bunch of vehicles to look for me? No.”
The Salt Lake City police K-9 program says they’re limiting the use of police dogs pending the investigation into the attack on Ryans.
“Just deploying them just for searches, but we do not want them to come in contact with any individuals,” Chief Jeff Kendrick told CBS News.
“I am disturbed by what I saw in that video, frustrated by how the situation was handled, and am committed to working to ensure neither happen again,” Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall tweeted Wednesday.
Ryans is recovering from his injuries and might require a leg amputation due to an infection.
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