Summary

The city of Brentwood, California, will pay $967,000 to Talmika Bates to settle a lawsuit over excessive force after a police K-9 tore her scalp during a 2020 arrest for alleged shoplifting.

Bates, who sustained severe injuries, including traumatic brain injury and PTSD, was unarmed and hiding when the dog bit her head.

A federal judge previously limited the officer’s qualified immunity, deeming the prolonged dog attack potentially excessive force.

The city settled to avoid litigation costs, and the police department currently has no active K-9 units.