Recent incidents involving police dogs and Black individuals in the United States have rekindled concerns about the disproportionate use of these canines against Black people. Jadarrius Rose’s encounter in Circleville, Ohio, on July 4, is just one example of a troubling trend that dates back to the Civil Rights era.
Elijah McClain’s tragic case serves as a poignant example. McClain, a 23-year-old Black man, died days after an encounter with police officers who had threatened to use a dog on him. McClain was initially stopped by three white officers in August 2019 after someone reported a “suspicious” man wearing a ski mask. While a dog was not deployed in this incident, it raises questions about why an officer would consider using a dog on an individual who was already under control.
Experts like Jason Williams, an assistant professor in justice studies at Montclair State University, suggest that the use of police dogs can represent a higher level of mechanical force and that racial biases within law enforcement can lead to the threat or use of dogs against Black suspects.
A study published in The Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine in 2019 found that Black people were disproportionately injured by police dogs in the U.S. Of the recorded emergency department visits due to police dog bites from 2005 to 2013, 42% of those bitten were Black, despite Black people making up only 13.4% of the population.
Kyle Heyen, a former police officer and consultant on police dog training, acknowledges the numbers but does not explicitly attribute them to racism. However, he notes that there is a history of police dogs being misused against Black communities.
The historical use of dogs as tools for racial violence dates back to European settlers colonizing the Americas. These dogs were used to capture or kill enslaved Black people who attempted to escape. This practice continued into the 20th century, with police dogs being used to suppress Black resistance and intimidate protesters during the Civil Rights Movement.
Today, K-9 units remain in place, with their handlers emphasizing their use for drug searches, bomb sniffing, and non-fatal suspect apprehension. However, critics argue that these dogs are often trained for maximum aggression, leading to severe injuries in encounters with the police.
Jadarrius Rose’s case in Circleville, Ohio, where a police dog attacked him even as he surrendered, adds to the list of controversial police K-9 attacks. The incident occurred after law enforcement noticed a missing mudflap on Rose’s 18-wheeler. Video footage shows at least six officers surrounding Rose as he attempted to surrender, with one officer explicitly instructing the K-9 handler not to release the dog. However, the Belgian Malinois was either set loose or broke free and lunged at Rose. The dog initially appeared confused, running past Rose towards other officers before turning back and attacking Rose, who was on his knees with his hands raised.
Investigations into such incidents have occurred regularly in recent years, highlighting a disturbing pattern. The Ohio State Highway Patrol, for example, used drug dogs in 28% of its stops involving Black motorists from 2013 to 2017, despite the Black population accounting for only 11.5% of eligible drivers in the state.
Circleville’s history with police dogs is not without controversy, as it faced questions about the training and use of these canines nearly two decades ago. In 2003, Officer David Haynes, a founder of the K-9 unit, sued the department after being fired for opposing a reduction in training hours for dogs and handlers. He warned of potential issues related to inadequate training. The current training regimen for Circleville’s K-9s consists of 16 hours per month.
The use of dogs as a means of social control over Black individuals is deeply rooted in history, from Spanish colonization to slavery and beyond. The deployment of police dogs against Black individuals has resulted in physical harm and psychological trauma. Activists continue to protest these practices, emphasizing the need for change.
Recent incidents, like the attack on Jeffrey Ryans in Salt Lake City and the threats against Elijah McClain, demonstrate that the use of police dogs remains a contentious issue. Questions persist about the training, handling, and necessity of these animals in modern law enforcement.
As discussions about police reform continue, the use of police dogs and their impact on Black communities remain a focal point, prompting calls for the suspension of K-9 units until significant changes are implemented.