An East Liverpool man has filed a lawsuit against the city and its police department following a 2019 incident where he was allegedly attacked by one of the department's K-9 officer.

The lawsuit says William Barrett was involved in an encounter with East Liverpool officers on July 27, 2019 and ran from his father's home on Laura Avenue. Barrett was chased by officers to a nearby front porch where he allegedly surrendered without brandishing a weapon.

Court statements say Barrett was attacked by K-9 Nero. The document says Green and other officers named in the lawsuit watched idly for approximately 30 seconds as Nero mauled Barrett's leg.

Barrett's representatives say the attack was so vicious that officers allegedly turned their backs to the assault to conceal the incident.

The attack left Barrett with serious injuries and he had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance.

Officer Green was placed on administrative leave from the East Liverpool Police Department on March 12, 2021, following a letter from another officer expressing concern to Chief John Lane about Green's character and fitness.

Green was later fired on June 26th.

No other officers were disciplined in connection to the incident.

The lawsuit says Barrett is pursuing compensation from the city.