Innocent Bystander Myra Riddle Accidentally Attacked By Yuba County Sheriff’s Office Canine As Police Chased Suspect

MARYSVILLE, CALIFORNIA (November 14, 2023) –  An innocent female bystander identified as Myra Riddle was viciously attacked by a Yuba County Sheriff’s Office police dog in Marysville.

Yuba County officials are saying that the incident took place on Friday afternoon. Police were chasing a murder suspect which led them to the Casa Del Este Apartment in Marysville.

Officers let go of the K-9 to pursue the suspect who was wearing a red sweatshirt. As the dog was chasing the suspect he stopped at a nearby pillar before attacking Myra Riddle.

The police dog bit her multiple times on her stomach and dragged her to the ground. She has told reporters that the dog held onto her for at least a minute or two. She was later taken to a hospital in order to receive treatment.

Myra Riddle has said that deputies have apologized to her, but the experience has left her shaken. A full investigation into the incident remains ongoing at this time.

 

Liability For Marysville Police Dog Attacks

Dog bites remain one of the leading causes of injury and hospitalization in the United States. According to Forbes Advisor, “Dog bite incidents are not a small problem. In fact, an estimated 4.5 million people annually sustain a bite from a canine. While some of these bites may be nothing more than minor nips, an estimated 800,000 people each year must seek medical attention after a bite.” Even dogs that are highly trained can often make mistakes or act in ways that are unpredictable. There are a number of signs that people should look for which may indicate a dog is more likely to attack.

• A dog’s body may become rigid which can be a sign of discomfort or agitation.
• The hair along a dog’s back and shoulders may stand on end if it feels threatened.
• A dog that is possibly going to attack may engage in lunging or snapping.
• A dog may become aggressive if they believe their possessions are being threatened.

California is a strict liability state when it comes to dog attacks. Pursuant to California Civil Code 3342, the owner of any dog is liable for the damages suffered by any person bitten by the dog while lawfully in a public or private place. Liability will apply regardless of the viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness. Generally speaking, strict liability will not apply for bites involving law enforcement dogs. However, an exemption to this principle will include instances where an innocent bystander is attacked. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any attack involving a law enforcement animal.

• Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
• Medical records related to the attack should be preserved.
• Body camera footage from all officers involved should be reviewed.
• An experienced civil rights attorney should be contacted.

Police departments have been using and misusing K-9s for decades. The sheer bite power of the animals used in law enforcement is tremendous. No matter how well these animals are trained, they often act in ways that are highly unpredictable. Any person that is injured by a police dog may have legal recourse through a civil claim. A civil rights attorney can examine the unique facts of your case free of cost and let you know what your legal options are.

 

Investigating Marysville Police Dog Attacks

We at the Sehat Law Firm extend our best wishes to Myra Riddle as she continues to recover. This was a preventable attack that should have never taken place. The Yuba County Sheriff’s Office needs to do more than just apologize. They should accept full responsibility for what happened and implement strict measures to prevent it from happening again.

Have you or someone that you care about been injured by a Yuba County Sheriff’s Office K-9? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of civil rights attorneys are here to help in any way that we can. We focus entirely on helping people who have been harmed by police abuses of power. Our track record of obtaining record breaking settlements for our clients speaks for itself. Whether you just have legal questions or are thinking about hiring an attorney we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (949) 825-5200.