Newly released video shows Alfredo Saldivar, 28, being attacked by a police dog that was released by officers from the Prescott Valley Police Department on May 13 in Arizona.
Saldivar was involved in a high-speed chase which led to officers firing several shots at him.
The Prescott Valley Police Department said in a statement that the use of the K9 was necessary because Saldivar had been driving erratically at high speeds and hesitated to obey orders.
Police say officers received reports that a truck driven by Saldivar was traveling through the Prescott Valley area at speeds of 100 mph. Police tried to pull Saldivar over but he allegedly continued to drive erratically, attempting to hit a police car with his truck.
An officer fired his weapon, hitting Saldivar and the fleeing truck, ABC News reports. The truck continued and hit another car that injured a woman who suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
It was then that Saldivar abandoned the truck on foot at a shopping center. Police caught up with Saldivar and ordered him to get on the ground and on his knees and Saldivar complies.
Officers then instruct Saldivar to stand up and Saldivar attempts to stand.
It was at that moment an officer released the dog where it bites and gnaws at Saldivar’s skin, causing massive blood loss. The dog attacks Saldivar for an extended period of time as the officers slowly move in and slowly take the canine off of Saldivar.
Saldivar claims several times in the video that he is going to sue the police. Saldivar was taken to a hospital for medical attention. Saldivar’s attorney says his client has a bullet fragment in his head from when the officer fired at him. Saldivar also has permanent damage in his arm from the dog bite attack.
Saldivar faces numerous felony charges including endangerment, aggravated assault on an officer, criminal damage, unlawful flight, leaving the scene of an accident, and resisting arrest. The Prescott Valley Police Department is currently in the process of conducting an administrative review regarding the use of force upon Saldivar.
