Colorado Springs K-9 police officer faces lawsuit

A lawsuit against a Colorado Springs Police K-9 officer states he sent his dog after the wrong man.

The lawsuit filed on Monday is addressed to Officer Tim Browne and states that while CSPD was looking for a middle-aged white man, Browne sent his K-9 after a 24-year-old black man, leaving him with multiple wounds.

According to the lawsuit, the incident happened outside the Peak Tavern on East Platte Avenue on Dec. 11, 2015.

Willie Watlington, the plaintiff in the lawsuit, states he was there “enjoying a night out” when multiple CSPD officers walked into the tavern looking for a white, male suspect in his 50s or 60s.

The documents state Watlington walked out of the back door of the Peak Tavern to go home to his apartment. He said he heard Browne yell in his direction, then Browne ordered his K-9 unit “Blitz” to charge at Watlington.

The lawsuit said the dog bit Watlington multiple times and dragged him along the ground. Watlington claims Browne did nothing to stop it.

Police then questioned Watlington and determined there were no warrants for his arrest.

Watlington was taken to Penrose-St. Francis where he was treated for his dog bite injuries, according to the lawsuit documents.

The documents go on to say that Officer Browne’s supervisor told Watlington that Colorado Springs police officers were looking for a white man in his 50s or 60s and that Watlington “obviously did not fit that description” adding Browne violated CSPD protocol by unleashing his K-9.

KRDO NewsChannel 13 reached out to CSPD for their comment on the lawsuit and heard back Wednesday. They referred us to the city attorney for comment on the case, the city told us Wednesday that it does not comment on pending or active litigation.

Note: The civil lawsuit is an allegation. No criminal guilt will be found as a result of the lawsuit.