Sebastian Forbes, 5, Attacked by K9 Police Officer at Orange Grove Park
PASADENA, Calif. (August 5, 2021) — A police dog attacked a 5-year-old boy during a narcotics demonstration at a recent National Night Out held at Orange Grove Park in Pasadena.
Barry, an 8-year-old Dutch Shepherd, was subsequently relieved of his duties with the Pasadena Police Department following the attack. The incident happened Tuesday, August 3rd at the Pasadena park, according to Pasadena Star-News.
The city intended to build relationships between police and members of the community at the carnival-style event featuring prize, food, a rock climbing wall and inflatable castle. Instead, a narcotics dog demonstration went horribly wrong when the dog turned on Sebastian Forbes and bit his face. The child was at the event with his father Josh Thomas, his mother and 9-year-old brother.
It happened after police ordered the dog to sniff out synthetic aids hidden from view. A crowd gathered to watch the performance and stood about 10 to 15 feet from the unleashed dog. However, Sebastian Forbes apparently approached the dog. That’s when the dog lunged toward him and bit his face. His father and the canine officer managed to stop the attack, but not before the dog mauled the boy’s face.
Pasadena Fire paramedics attending the event treated the boy at the scene before he went to Huntington Hospital.
The boy suffered injuries on the left side of his face near his eye as well as on his ear. He also had bruising on his neck and shoulder.
The police dog had been with the department for seven years after being trained to sniff out drugs, according to South Pasadena Police Chief Brian Solinsky. His human partner remains on duty during the investigation.
Dog Bite Attacks in California
Related: Jury Awards $20 Million in San Luis Obispo County Lawsuit
Every day one thousand people are treated at hospitals in the United States for dog bite injuries or attacks. Our state ranks second in the country for the number of injuries and deaths due to vicious dog attacks. Overall, roughly 4.5 million dog attacks are reported nationwide.
Also, in 2020, U.S. homeowners insurance policies paid victims of dog attacks some $854 million in liability claims, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
Johnson Attorneys Group handles personal injury claims due to dog bite attacks, trip and fall accidents and other incidents. We do not represent any of the parties mentioned above. We do not intend to represent any of the parties. If you would like to contribute to this story or you have legal questions, please contact us.
- San Jose Car Accident Quimby Road, Casa De Fernandez Court - April 18, 2024
- Fatal Motorcycle Accident Winter Gardens Boulevard in Lakeside - April 18, 2024
- Valley Center Crash Cole Grade Road, McNally Road - April 18, 2024
