Recently, footage from a police body camera captured a man resisting arrest by biting an Alabama state trooper’s dog. This incident occurred during a police operation in which the suspect was not involved, but he nonetheless created a disturbance.
The Florence Police Department reported that a search warrant was executed in the 200 block of North Locust Street in Florence as part of the Lauderdale County Drug Task Force’s efforts.
“I want to assure the public that my concerns were significant. Most of the feedback I received from the community was focused on the incident with the dog and the injury it caused,” one official mentioned.
Police noted that the Florence Lauderdale SWAT Team and the K-9 Unit were present during the operation. Interestingly, 46-year-old David Culliver appeared on the scene while the warrant was being carried out, even though he wasn’t part of the investigation.
According to police reports, Culliver made himself a part of the situation, becoming aggressive and entering a busy roadway despite multiple warnings from officers to stay clear of traffic.
When officers tried to arrest him for his actions, Culliver resisted, pulling away and physically struggling against several officers.
A police K-9 was deployed to help subdue Culliver, but he allegedly bit the dog’s leg, prompting officers to retaliate by striking him in an effort to make him let go of the dog.
Eventually, Culliver was subdued, handcuffed, and subsequently taken to a hospital for injuries sustained during the encounter, which included being bitten by the K-9. He was later booked into the Lauderdale County Detention Center. Unfortunately, police did not provide details regarding any injuries the K-9 may have endured.
Body camera footage of the incident, featuring various angles, was released by law enforcement. The struggle involving the K-9 can be seen starting at the 11:27 mark in the included video.
Culliver is facing charges for resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, public intoxication, and interference with a police dog. His bail has been set at $2,500, although he was not listed as an inmate in jail records accessed recently.
Authorities emphasized that the full length of the footage provides a more comprehensive picture of the encounter, contrasting with shorter clips circulating on social media, which may misrepresent the actual events.
While the police stated that a thorough investigation deemed the force used to be justified, some local residents, including Florence City Council President Caitlina Simmons, expressed concern over the use of the K-9. Simmons received multiple complaints from the community regarding the incident, particularly about the dog’s involvement and the injuries it caused.
