Family settles lawsuit against former Montgomery K9 officer whose dog killed man

By SAFIYAH RIDDLE Report for America/The Associated Press

The family of a man killed by a police dog in Montgomery has agreed to settle its federal lawsuit against the police officer who handled the animal, but their lawyers said Friday that they plan to appeal a ruling that cleared the city of responsibility.

The confidential settlement was reached in a lawsuit against officer Nicholas Barber, who was responsible for the K9 that attacked and killed 50-year-old Joseph Pettaway in 2018.

Pettaway was sleeping in a small house where he was employed as a handyman when officers responded to a call that reported an unknown occupant, according to court documents. Barber released the dog into the house where it found Pettaway and bit into his groin.

Police in 2018 said a canine unit responded to a report of a burglary in progress.

The bite severed Pettaway’s femoral artery, autopsy reports showed.

“I hope that the case for the family brings some closure for something that is a long time coming,” said their attorney, Griffin Sikes.

The lawsuit also named the City of Montgomery and its police chief at the time, Ernest Finley, alleging that the officers had been trained not to provide first aid. The claims against the city and the chief were dismissed, but Sikes said the family plans on appealing.

Attorneys for Barber, Finley and the City of Montgomery did not respond to an emailed request for comment sent by The Associated Press on Friday morning.

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