California Woman Sues Police Officer After K9 Rips Off Her Entire Scalp

Woman Files Lawsuit Against Brentwood Police Officer After K9 Rips Off Her Entire Scalp

A California woman has filed a lawsuit against police officers for excessive force after they reportedly allowed their K-9 to attack her for several minutes, leading her scalp to be ripped open.

Talmika Bates and another suspect reportedly shoplifted from an Ulta store on February 10, 2020, and were approached by Brentwood Police Officers.

According to her complaint, Bates was not warned about the K-9 attack by police officers and was mauled by “Marco” for several minutes. Brentwood Police Officer Ryan Rezentes reportedly had to remove the dog after it ignored his commands twice and the incident was captured via officers’ bodycam and her screams could be heard in the background as she attempted to hide from the dog. 

“Talmika says she still has nightmares of the dog grinding and chewing on her head. She says that she felt like she was going to die that day and really did not believe she’d live to tell her story but is alive and thankful. She had to have her scalp surgically reattached to her head. She suffers severe depression and remains traumatized from the mauling,” said her attorney Patrick Bulena.

The complaint also states that she was insulted by officers in the aftermath of the attack.

“Eventually, Officer Lou helped Ms. Bates to her feet and placed her in handcuffs. The Officers berated Ms. Bates for running from police as if getting her head bit and mauled by a vicious canine was a lawful and appropriate punishment for her crimes.”