PHOENIX — A 27-year-old Arizona man is suing the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office after he was attacked by a canine officer for more than three minutes while handcuffed in a holding cell.
Shane McGough, who is being represented by attorney Steven Guy, is seen on body camera footage screaming while being viciously bitten by the dog.
"He was obviously in a great deal of pain screaming and he was complying with all of their commands," said Guy.
The incident, which took place in July of 2017, started earlier that day at the Salt River. Guy said the 27-year-old and his friends got into an argument in the parking lot after a collision.
MCSO deputies responded to the scene and allegedly began to search McGough's friend's truck without permission.
"He [McGough] reached his arm in between the sheriff and the truck telling him this is not a proper search it's illegal," said Guy.
Then, a physical fight ensued between McGough and the deputies. They ultimately tackled him, but a deputy suffered a broken leg in the process. McGough was then arrested and taken to a nearby substation, where the K9 attack occurred.
Body camera footage shows McGough yelling profanities toward the law enforcement officials. He was ultimately thrown to the ground and attacked by a K9 officer.
"We know that these deputies knew that their comrade had been injured. We would assume that they were very unhappy about that situation, and frankly this looks like jailhouse justice. Jailhouse vengeance. Because that really is the only plausible explanation for what they did to him," said Guy.
In the incident report, deputies justify their use of the K9, saying McGough "displayed active aggression" and was attempting to use his handcuffs as a weapon.
In the lawsuit McGough has filed against those involved, his attorney calls it torture.
"He's got deep pitted permanent pitted scars and he's got severe emotional trauma," said Guy.
Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone released the following statement:
"The complexities of this event are and have been under thorough review, evaluation and litigation. We will provide appropriate details and responses to this event at the conclusion of the internal investigation and litigation."
McGough pleaded guilty to aggravated assault after the sheriff's deputy suffered a broken leg at the Salt River.