Man plans to sue Utah police after K-9 attacks him during arrest
LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- A Utah police officer's body camera is at the center of a lawsuit involving a K-9 biting a man on his face and buttocks in his living room after he claims he had surrendered.
The video show's officers in West Jordan, Utah responding to a call at the home of Lee Hoogsveldt because he had threatened one of his neighbors.
Once inside the home, officers ordered him to put his hands up and stand up, but Hoogsveldt does not stand. That is when the officer's K-9 named Pyro was unleashed.
The dog latched onto Hoogsveldt's face and the handler had to order the dog to let go several times.
Police said Hoogsveldt had set fire to a neighbor's home twice and even set a fire in his own backyard on the day of the incident.
Hoogsveldt said he has had more than $60,000 in reconstructive surgery. After the K-9 attack, police handcuffed him in another room. The dog was unleashed again a short time later and bit him in the buttocks.
West Jordan police said the video shows officers acted within protocol, but Hoogsveldt's attorney said his client's civil rights were violated.
