A bad day fishing

On July 9, 2005, Dewayne Davidson was fishing along the banks of the Mississippi River in Minneapolis when he decided to take a nap. The Mankato resident's sleep was interrupted, however, by the sound of a barking dog.

According to a lawsuit filed last week in U.S. District Court, Davidson stood up and saw a man with a flashlight. He was worried that he was going to be robbed. "Get your ass up here now you scum bag, you homeless scum bag," the man purportedly said. The stranger was subsequently identified at Minneapolis police officer Mark Lanassa.

Davidson was ordered to the ground. After he complied, Davison claims, he was set upon by a police dog. The canine bit into his left leg and held on for a "lengthy period of time," according to the lawsuit. Davidson further charges that Lanassa kicked him in the testicles and ribs, along with punching him in the face.

Davidson was transported to the hopsital for medical treatment. In addition to the severe leg wound, he sustained two broken teeth and a broken finger. He was never charged with any crime stemming from the altercation.

According to Davidson's attorney, Stephen Fiebiger, attempts to resolve the dispute outside of court were unsuccessful. "We were trying to get something worked out with the city but that fell through," he says.

MPD officers Patricia Nelson and Patrick Myslajek are also named in the lawsuit. The City of Minneapolis will not comment on pending litigation.