Roommates Sue Maryland County for Illegal Entry and Shooting of Pet Dog
Three roommates have filed a federal lawsuit against a Maryland county, alleging that police officers illegally entered their apartment without a warrant, detained them at gunpoint without justification, and unnecessarily shot their pet dog. The dog, a boxer mix named Hennessey, was left paralyzed as a result of the incident and was ultimately euthanized.
According to the lawsuit, the officers entered the apartment without a warrant and the dog did not pose a threat to them. Despite this, two of the officers discharged their firearms at the animal, while the third officer used a stun gun on it.
The incident has sparked outrage among animal rights activists and concerned citizens, who are calling for greater accountability and reform within law enforcement agencies. The roommates are seeking justice for their beloved pet and hoping that their lawsuit will bring about changes in police procedures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
To read the full details of the federal lawsuit, click here.
Upon entering the bedroom, two of the plaintiffs were confronted by the officers. Despite one of them asserting that the police had no right to be there, an officer claimed they had "probable cause" and did not require a warrant, as stated in the lawsuit.
According to the lawsuit, the officers allegedly panicked and shot at the dog when it followed one of the plaintiffs out of the bedroom and approached its owner, Erica Umana.
After the shooting, the officers proceeded to handcuff the roommates and detained them in police vehicles for approximately one hour before releasing them.
The plaintiffs, namely Umana, Erika Erazo Sanchez, Dayri Amaya Benitez, and Brandon Cuevas, are taking legal action against the county and the three officers involved.
Umana, in an interview with the Washington Post in 2021, recounted her plea for assistance for her wounded dog.
"I was just begging them, begging them," Umana said. "They just had no remorse."
The state's attorney office declined to prosecute, citing that the officers' actions were deemed to be in good faith and did not warrant criminal liability, as per a spokesperson's statement to the Washington Post.
According to Umana's lawsuit, the county offered to cover her veterinary expenses if she agreed not to publicly discuss the incident, which she refused.
Police and County Officials Silent on Lawsuit Allegations
Authorities have yet to respond to the recent lawsuit filed against them, according to sources.
The suit claims that the policing system in Prince George's County is deeply flawed and biased, with county leadership turning a blind eye to the issue.
During the investigation into the incident, three officers involved were placed on paid administrative leave. While two of them were accused of "conduct unbecoming an officer" for entering an apartment without a warrant, the third officer was cleared of any wrongdoing.
The lawsuit alleges that the officers used excessive force, made false arrests, and violated the plaintiffs' constitutional rights against unreasonable searches and seizures.
The roommates who filed the lawsuit are represented by William "Billy" Murphy Jr., a prominent lawyer who previously represented the family of Freddie Gray. Murphy strongly condemned the officers' actions, describing them as "outrageously flagrant misconduct."
"It is mind-blowing that such incidents are still happening in 2021," Murphy stated. "The very foundation of America's principles dictates that you cannot enter someone's house without a search warrant."
Prince George's County Police Faces Lawsuit Alleging Excessive Force
A recent lawsuit has been filed against the Prince George's County Police, accusing them of a long-standing history of excessive force, unlawful searches and seizures, and overall misconduct within their ranks. The lawsuit highlights 42 incidents as examples of such behavior, including the tragic killing of William Green, an unarmed Black man, in January 2020.
William Green was shot and killed by Michael Owen Jr., a 10-year veteran of the police department, while handcuffed in a police car. Owen has been arrested and is currently facing trial on a murder charge, which is set to begin this week. In response to the incident, the county has agreed to a $20 million settlement with Green's family, who were represented by Murphy's law firm.
Malcolm Ruff, an attorney representing the plaintiffs in the recent lawsuit, expressed concern over the lack of reprimand for Prince George's County police officers and their belief that they can treat people however they please without consequence.
"This is due to the long history of how Prince George's County has handled misconduct over the years," Ruff added.
