Dog bite cases rarely make it to the highest court in any state, but a case involving a bomb-sniffing dog is an exception. This dog was trained in Texas Hill Country, and was deployed to aid in Afghanistan military operations.
Kallie, a Belgian Malinois, is the dog at the center of the case. She was assigned to Camp Mike Spann, a U.S. Army base used to conduct combat operations against the Taliban. Kallie’s job was to find explosive devices and roadside bombs.
The victim in the case, LaTasha, was a civilian working as an administrative clerk at the base for a private military contractor.
The incident took place in 2011. Kallie escaped from her kennel and jumped on LaTasha. LaTasha says the dog knocked her down, gripped her left arm and began shaking violently. There were no signs of physical injury or bleeding, but LaTasha was eventually diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome, CRPS. The nerve injury left her unable to work. The Social Security Administration deemed her “completely disabled.”
LaTasha filed a lawsuit for over $1 million against Hill Country Dog Center, which trained Kallie, and American K-9 Detection Services, which provides the military with bomb-sniffing dogs.
The suit was filed in Bandera County, where Hill Country Dog Center is located, in 2014. The judge dismissed the lawsuit, but the appeals court overturned the decision and reinstated the case.
Both companies asked the Texas Supreme Court to dismiss the lawsuit.
Lawyers for American K-9 argued that LaTasha’s lawsuit should be dismissed because courts have limited jurisdiction over combat zone injuries. Hill Country Dog Center contended it was only responsible for training Kallie and the dog’s handler. They argued that liability for the dog’s behavior lies with the handler or owner of the dog.
Understanding CRPS and Its Connection to Injuries
Complex regional pain syndrome represents one of the most debilitating chronic pain conditions, often developing after seemingly minor injuries or medical procedures. LaTasha’s case illustrates how CRPS can transform a person’s life, turning what appeared to be a minor incident without visible injury into a permanently disabling condition.
CRPS frequently develops following medical procedures, surgeries, or treatments when healthcare providers fail to follow proper protocols or exercise appropriate care. Medical professionals have a responsibility to recognize early signs of CRPS, implement prompt treatment measures, and avoid procedures or techniques that may increase the risk of developing this condition.
Common medical scenarios that can lead to CRPS include improperly performed injections or nerve blocks, surgical complications that damage nerves or surrounding tissues, inadequate pain management following procedures, delayed diagnosis and treatment of initial injuries, and infections that develop due to improper sterile technique or inadequate post-procedure monitoring.
Healthcare providers must understand the risk factors for CRPS and take preventive measures during medical treatments. When medical professionals fail to meet the standard of care and a patient subsequently develops CRPS, this may constitute medical malpractice. The devastating nature of CRPS, combined with its potential for permanent disability, makes these cases particularly significant for affected patients and their families.
For individuals who developed CRPS following medical treatment, consulting with experienced legal counsel can help determine whether the condition resulted from preventable medical errors.
Case Update
The Texas Supreme Court ultimately ruled against LaTasha in 2018, dismissing her lawsuit entirely. The Court determined that LaTasha’s case could not proceed because it would require civilian courts to review military decisions made in a combat zone, which falls outside their authority under the political question doctrine. This legal principle prevents courts from evaluating military operational decisions, even when civilians are injured as a result.
LaTasha had previously reached a settlement with her employer for $250,000 under workers’ compensation laws, but the Supreme Court’s decision meant she could not pursue additional damages from the companies that trained the military working dog. The case established important legal precedent regarding the limits of civilian court jurisdiction over incidents involving military operations overseas.
