This case begins in 2011, when LaTasha Freeman, a civilian employee working as an administrative secretary on base in Afghanistan, was attacked by a bomb-sniffing dog named Kallie that had been brought on to locate hidden explosives along roadsides—one of the top weapons that kill troops. Since the attack, Freeman has suffered nerve damage that has rendered her unemployable and disabled according to the U.S. Social Security Administration.

Freeman has since sued the organization that trained Kallie and her handler—Hill Country Dog Center—and the American K-9 Detection Services, which is where the U.S. military gets their working dogs from. The military relies on both civilian employees and dogs to be successful.

This case is also unique because it’s made it all the way to the Texas Supreme Court—something that rarely happens. The case has garnered attention because of the implications the case could have on the way K-9 military units are handled. The lawsuit alleges negligence and faulty equipment at the fault of Hill County Dog Center and American K-9 Detection Services.

Civilian and Military Cases

As a civilian working for the military, Freeman’s case is rather tricky. In this case, both civilian and military laws come into play. While there is some overlap between these two, there are also some critical differences.

In this particular case, identifying who is at fault has been tremendously difficult. Some say it’s American K-9 Detection Services, others say it’s the Hill County Dog Center—who they claim inadequately trained Kallie and her handlers—and others blame the Army for not adequately putting her kennel together or keeping an eye on her and the other dogs. Freeman’s lawyer continues to defend her.

The Supreme Court is set to give a final answer on the case this summer.

Civilian Military Attorney

When it comes to the military, both sides should be protected, including the civilians working for the military and the military members affected by the lawsuit, as it is with this case. That means, when you hire a lawyer, you want a civilian military attorney that has the expertise needed to defend you. 

At Military Trial Defenders, our lawyers have experience on both sides, so you are covered regardless of the situation. While the dog bite offense is few and far between under these circumstances, our civilian military attorney can help you with a variety of issues, including drug offense, UMCJ defense, and more. Because of our combined backgrounds, we can defend you with more resources than the lawyer you’re appointed when facing charges like these. Call us today to learn more!