A Kelowna man sued the local RCMP after alleging that he was viciously attacked by a police dog and officer on August 1.
In recently filed court documents, Fernando Verde claims he needed immediate surgery for serious injuries following the attack, but an ambulance was not immediately called by police.
The civil lawsuit begins with Verde walking through Rutland, where he discovered and recovered a friend’s stolen e-bike from a well-known thief nicknamed “Bike Mike”.
“When the police left the gas station and the plaintiff was unknown, they were in the parking lot when the plaintiff drove away from the gas station,” says the civil suit.
“Unknown to the plaintiff, the police began to follow him.”
Kelowna RCMP Officer Const. Reginald Sahay followed Verde and intercepted him on the Okanagan Rail Trail near Hardie Road.
“When Sahay saw the plaintiff, he instructed the dog to attack the plaintiff,” the civil lawsuit said. “As a result of the argument with the dog, the plaintiff fell from the e-bike and landed on the floor.
“While the dog was abusing the plaintiff, Sahay hit and kicked the plaintiff in the head and ribs at the same time.”
The suit claims an ambulance was not called immediately despite Verde sustaining “obvious” injuries and bleeding from multiple dog bites.
“The plaintiff’s injuries were so severe that he lost consciousness and had to be resuscitated at KGH and underwent emergency surgery to repair his left superficial femoral artery,” the claim reads.
“The plaintiff was detained in the KGH for intravenous antibiotic therapy and aggressive wound care. The plaintiff lost a significant amount of blood. “
Verde has a long criminal record related to property crimes, but the lawsuit claims he was not charged following the incident.
Const. Davidson of the Kelowna RCMP is also named in the lawsuit alleging she made no attempt to stop Sahay’s dog.
The attack is being investigated by the BC Independent Investigations Office.
None of the claims have been proven in court.
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