Minnesota woman awarded $520,000 after attack by police dog

Woman Awarded $520,000 After Being Attacked by Police Dog

The city of St. Paul must pay $520,000 to a woman who was attacked by a police dog while taking out the trash last year, the Star Tribune reported.

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Desiree Collins sued the city and St. Paul police officer Thaddeus Schmidt, who was in charge of the police dog, in federal court.

Schmidt had the dog on a 20-foot leash while he searched for two burglary suspects. The animal attacked Collins' left leg and then her right arm, the Star Tribune reported.

The St. Paul City Council met Wednesday to discuss the settlement, which was accepted by Collins' attorneys, the Star Tribune reported.

“She’s pleased and she’s glad that she can put this lawsuit behind her and move on with life,” Andy Noel, one of Collins’ attorneys, told the newspaper.

The attack occurred Sept. 23, 2017.

The deal reached Wednesday came after a ruling by U.S. District Judge John Tunheim, who found that police violated Collins' civil rights, the Star Tribune reported.

Collins said the attack made her feel unsafe and forced her to move out of her home, the Star Tribune reported. A police cam showed dramatic footage of the attack, the newspaper reported.

I didn't deserve that," Collins told the Star-Tribune. "I didn't do anything wrong."