City, county reach deal over drug dog attack

A Coeur d’Alene man is expected to receive a $90,000 mediated settlement after a Kootenai County drug-detection dog mauled him in 2004.

Joshua Nathaniel Cottrell, 24, sued Coeur d’Alene and Kootenai County after a Sheriff’s Department K-9 dog bit his right arm and legs. While in jail, Cottrell’s arm developed gas gangrene and needed multiple surgeries.

The settlement agreement is the result of mediation between Cottrell, the county and the city. The city agreed to pay $15,000 while the county will pay $75,000, said Coeur d’Alene City Attorney Mike Gridley. The lawsuit was recently dismissed as a result.

The Kootenai County Commission is expected to sign the agreement next week.

Gridley and Darrin Murphy, deputy county attorney, said the agreement doesn’t determine fault in the June 22, 2004, attack.

The lawsuit said law enforcement’s excessive use of force violated Cottrell’s constitutional rights.

City police officers and county deputies responded to a fight between Cottrell and his male cousin at Cottrell’s B Street home.

The lawsuit, which was filed in U.S. District Court in July, said that Cottrell used a crawl space to get on the roof of the house. A Coeur d’Alene police officer used his Taser on Cottrell, causing him to fall from the roof into a neighboring yard, the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit went on to say that Cottrell tried to surrender but the deputies released the dog, which mauled Cottrell. The suit said that the other officers “stood by and did nothing” while some of the officers laughed during the mauling.

Cottrell also alleged that no medical attention was given to him at the scene, despite his injuries. He was later treated at Kootenai Medical Center and then booked into the Kootenai County jail on charges of disturbing the peace and resisting arrest.

The suit said that Cottrell’s arm developed gas gangrene because of inadequate medical treatment while in jail.

Cottrell’s attorney, Michael Parker of Spokane, did not return phone calls on Monday. .

Kootenai County court records list 15 other incidents involving Cottrell, including arrests for battery, driving under the influence and domestic violence.