Aug 6, 2008 12:09 am US/Eastern
Family Seeks Justice After Police Dog Attacks Boy
MCKEES ROCKS (KDKA) ―
More than six years after a McKees Rocks boy was mauled by a police dog, his family says his medical bills are approaching half a million dollars.
Lorraine and Mark Anthony Livingston, who now live in Stanton Heights, say their adopted son, 15-year-old Brandon Livingston, is still receiving mental health treatment, and probably will for years to come.
"There has not been not any type of money paid, not even for a Tylenol for Brandon," says Lorraine. "Right now he can't sleep at night."
The attack happened to him one afternoon back in June of 2002.
The boy - then 9 years old - was on his porch when a police dog named "Dolpho" got away from his owner - Police Officer Shawn Barger - and mauled him. The police were in pursuit of a drug suspect in the neighborhood.
Barger said at the time that as soon as he saw the dog on the little boy, he jumped on the dog, tackled him, put him in a headlock.
Mark Livingston says the McKees Rocks Police and borough has treated his family like they did something wrong. Livingston says it's not about the money, but about his son's respect.
A lawyer for the Livingstons, Eugene Berry, said the borough has been less than fair, steadfastly refusing to negotiate an out-of-court settlement.
There's been no comment on the case from McKees Rocks officials or the lawyer hired by the borough to handle the lawsuit.
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