Canine dogs like this one are used to aid police in identifying victims and suspects. However, sometimes their mistakes can be detrimental. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Dog's mistake now a lawsuit
A dog's sense of smell leads to false arrest
Updated: Tuesday, 03 Nov 2009, 6:08 PM CST
Published : Tuesday, 03 Nov 2009, 6:07 PM CST
DALLAS (AP) - Three men who spent months in jail after a dog's sense of smell linked them to crimes they did not commit are filing a lawsuit claiming that Texas authorities falsely arrested and imprisoned them.
An attorney for the men said the lawsuit will be filed in federal court in Houston on Wednesday. The men are seeking compensatory and punitive damages for what they say is emotional pain and suffering related to their time in jail.
The lawsuit names the Houston Police Department, the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Department and Deputy Keith Pikett, whose dogs were used in the investigations. Attorneys for the police and deputy did not immediately return messages left by The Associated Press.
Authorities eventually dropped charges against all three men.
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