Case Law

Welcome! In this page you can find case law that has affected the use of canines in law enforcement. As of yet, there has not been a direct United States Supreme Court ruling on the question of force regarding the use of police canines. However, you can refer to the Courts rulings on excessive force below.
You can find rulings from the United States Sixth and Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals here as well.

Someone give me a cookie!

United States Supreme Court Rulings

United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals Rulings

United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Rulings

United States Supreme Court Rulings

Tennesse v. Garner, 471 US 1 (1985)
Graham v. Connor, 490 US 386 (1989)

United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals Rulings

Robinette v. Barnes, 854 F.2d 909 (6th Cir. 1988)

United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Rulings

Parra v. City of Chino, 141 F. 3d 1178 (9th Cir. 1998)
Vera Cruz v. City of Escondido, 97 CDOS 7799 (9th Cir. 1997)
Quintanilla v. City of Downey, 84 F. 3d 353 (9th Cir. 1996)
Shannon v. City of Costa Mesa, F. 3d 1145 (9th Cir. 1995)
Fikes v. Cleghorn, 47 F. 3d 1011 (9th Cir. 1995)
Gilliam v. County of Los Angeles, 37 F. 3d 1505 (9th Cir. 1994)
Mendoza v. Block, 27 F. 3d 1357 (9th Cir. 1994)
Chew v. Gates, 27 F. 3d 1432 (9th Cir. 1994)