Miller v. Nye County et al, No. 2:2019cv00601 - Document 15 (D. Nev. 2019)

Court Description: ORDER Granting 14 Stipulation to Amend Complaint. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiff shall file and serve Amended Complaint pursuant to LR 15-1. Signed by Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Albregts on 9/25/2019. (Copies have been distributed pursuant to the NEF - JQC)

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Miller v. Nye County et al Doc. 15 Case 2:19-cv-00601-JAD-DJA Document 14 Filed 09/24/19 Page 1 of 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 Margaret A. McLetchie, Nevada Bar No. 10931 Alina M. Shell, Nevada Bar No. 11711 MCLETCHIE LAW 701 East Bridger Ave., Suite 520 Las Vegas, NV 89101 Telephone: (702) 728-5300 Facsimile: (702) 425-8220 Email: maggie@nvlitigation.com 10 Jennifer L. Braster, Nevada Bar No. 9982 NAYLOR & BRASTER 1050 Indigo Drive, Suite 200 Las Vegas, NV 89145 Telephone: (702) 420-7000 Facsimile: (702) 420-7001 Email: jbraster@nblawnv.com 11 Counsel for Plaintiff, Gary Miller 7 8 9 ATTORNEYS AT LAW 701 EAST BRIDGER AVE., SUITE 520 LAS VEGAS, NV 89101 (702)728-5300 (T) / (702)425-8220 (F) WWW.NVLITIGATION.COM 12 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT OF NEVADA 13 14 15 16 GARY MILLER, an individual, vs. Case. No.: 2:19-cv-00601-JAD-DJA Plaintiff, 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 NYE COUNTY, Nevada, a political subdivision of the State of Nevada and doing business as the Nye County Sheriff’s Office and Nye County Animal Control; and DEPUTY JOHN TOLLE, individually and in his official capacity as a Nye County Police Officer; STIPULATION AND ORDER TO AMEND COMPLAINT Defendants. Plaintiff Gary Miller and Defendants Nye County and Deputy John Tolle, by and through their respective counsel of record, hereby agree and stipulate to the filing of the First Amended Complaint attached hereto as Exhibit 1. The First Amended Complaint corrects a typographical error regarding the date of the incident. Further, to the extent any discovery requests identify an incident date other than April 10, 2017, it will be presumed 1 Dockets.Justia.com Case 2:19-cv-00601-JAD-DJA Document 14 Filed 09/24/19 Page 2 of 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 that the date was a typographical error and the date should be April 10, 2017. This stipulation is not sought for any improper purpose or other purpose of delay but rather to correct a typographical error. DATED this 24th day of September 2019. DATED this 24th day of September 2019. MARQUIS AURBACH COFFING MCLETCHIE SHELL LLC /s/ James A. Beckstrom Craig R. Anderson, NBN 6882 James A. Beckstrom, NBN 14032 10001 Park Run Drive Las Vegas, NV 89145 /s/ Jennifer L. Braster Margaret A. McLetchie, NBN 10931 Alina M. Shell, NBN 11711 701 East Bridger Ave., Suite 520 Las Vegas, NV 89101 and Attorneys for Defendants NAYLOR & BRASTER Jennifer L. Braster, NBN 9982 1050 Indigo Drive, Suite 200 Las Vegas, NV 89145 ATTORNEYS AT LAW 701 EAST BRIDGER AVE., SUITE 520 LAS VEGAS, NV 89101 (702)728-5300 (T) / (702)425-8220 (F) WWW.NVLITIGATION.COM 12 13 14 Attorneys for Plaintiff 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 ORDER IT IS SO ORDERED. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiff shall file and serve DATED this _____ daypursuant of September Amended Complaint to LR2019. 15-1. Dated this 25th day of September, 2019. U.S. MAGISTRATE JUDGE 22 23 24 25 ___________________________ Daniel J. Albregts United States Magistrate Judge 26 27 28 2 Case 2:19-cv-00601-JAD-DJA Document 14-1 Filed 09/24/19 Page 1 of 20 EXHIBIT 1 – Proposed First Amended Complaint Case 2:19-cv-00601-JAD-DJA Document 14-1 Filed 09/24/19 Page 2 of 20 1 2 3 4 5 6 Margaret A. McLetchie, Nevada Bar No. 10931 Alina M. Shell, Nevada Bar No. 11711 MCLETCHIE LAW 701 East Bridger Ave., Suite 520 Las Vegas, NV 89101 Telephone: (702) 728-5300 Facsimile: (702) 425-8220 Email: maggie@nvlitigation.com 10 Jennifer L. Braster, Nevada Bar No. 9982 NAYLOR & BRASTER 1050 Indigo Drive, Suite 200 Las Vegas, NV 89145 Telephone: (702) 420-7000 Facsimile: (702) 420-7001 Email: jbraster@nblawnv.com 11 Counsel for Plaintiff, Gary Miller 7 8 9 ATTORNEYS AT LAW 701 EAST BRIDGER AVE., SUITE 520 LAS VEGAS, NV 89101 (702)728-5300 (T) / (702)425-8220 (F) WWW.NVLITIGATION.COM 12 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT OF NEVADA 13 14 15 16 GARY MILLER, an individual, vs. Case. No.: 2:19-cv-00601-JAD-DJA Plaintiff, FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 NYE COUNTY, Nevada, a political subdivision of the State of Nevada and doing business as the Nye County Sheriff’s Office and Nye County Animal Control; and DEPUTY JOHN TOLLE, individually and in his official capacity as a Nye County Police Officer; [JURY TRIAL DEMANDED] Defendants. Plaintiff GARY MILLER, an individual, files this Complaint for damages pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (civil action for deprivation of rights), 28 U.S.C. § 1331 (federal question jurisdiction), 28 U.S.C. § 1367(a) (supplemental jurisdiction), and 28 U.S.C. § 2201 (creation of remedy). 1 Case 2:19-cv-00601-JAD-DJA Document 14-1 Filed 09/24/19 Page 3 of 20 NATURE OF THE ACTION ATTORNEYS AT LAW 701 EAST BRIDGER AVE., SUITE 520 LAS VEGAS, NV 89101 (702)728-5300 (T) / (702)425-8220 (F) WWW.NVLITIGATION.COM 1 2 On April 10, 2017, a deputy with the Nye County Sheriff’s Office shot Plaintiff Gary 3 Miller’s six-year-old pet dog Blu in the head during a response to a false burglar alarm at 4 Mr. Miller’s residence. After shooting Blu, the deputy and other responding officers from 5 the Nye County Sheriff’s Office exhibited callous disregard for the trauma Mr. Miller 6 experienced as a result of the unlawful shooting. Then, after picking up Blu from Mr. 7 Miller’s residence, Nye County Animal Control destroyed Blu’s body without notifying or 8 obtaining consent from Mr. Miller. 9 This is an action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 seeking to address: (1) the violations of 10 Plaintiff Gary Miller’s rights under the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. 11 Constitution that Defendants are responsible for; and (2) unlawful policies and practices of 12 permitting officers to shoot pet dogs even though there are no reasonable justifications to 13 shoot the dogs and no exigent circumstances exist. 14 This action also seeks to address Plaintiff’s several state tort claims against 15 Defendants for negligent training, supervision, and retention, as well as intentional and 16 negligent infliction of emotional distress. This court has supplemental jurisdiction over the 17 state law claims. 18 19 Plaintiff is entitled to damages, costs, and attorney’s fees, punitive damages, and any other relief as a victim of a civil rights violation and of tort damages. JURISDICTION AND VENUE 20 21 1. Jurisdiction is conferred on this Court by 28 U.S.C. § 1331, et seq. for civil 22 claims arising under the Constitution and laws of the United States. Pursuant to § 1331, this 23 Court has original subject matter jurisdiction over Plaintiff’s claims brought under 42 24 U.S.C. § 1983. 25 26 27 28 2. This Court has jurisdiction over claims arising under the laws of the State of Nevada pursuant to supplemental jurisdiction provided for by 28 U.S.C. § 1367(a). 3. The prayer for relief is predicated on 28 U.S.C. § 2201 and Fed. R. Civ. P. 38. This Court has jurisdiction to award Plaintiff damages pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and 2 Case 2:19-cv-00601-JAD-DJA Document 14-1 Filed 09/24/19 Page 4 of 20 1 Nev. Rev. Stat. 41.130. Authorization for the request of attorneys’ fees and costs is 2 conferred by 42 U.S.C. § 1988(b). 3 4. 4 the performance of their official duties, and thus each of the Defendants acted under color 5 of law and are subject to liability as state actors pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. See McDade 6 v. West, 223 F.3d 1135, 1140 (9th Cir. 2000). 5. 7 ATTORNEYS AT LAW 701 EAST BRIDGER AVE., SUITE 520 LAS VEGAS, NV 89101 (702)728-5300 (T) / (702)425-8220 (F) WWW.NVLITIGATION.COM Each of the Defendants acted, purported to act, and/or pretended to act in Because Defendants are not arms of the State this suit is not barred by the 8 Eleventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. See Eason v. Clark County School, 303 F.3d 9 1137, 1147 (9th Cir. 2002); Culinary Workers Union v. Del Papa, 200 F.3d 614, 619 (9th 10 Cir. 1999). 11 6. The acts or omissions giving rise to the Plaintiff’s claims all occurred in 12 Nye County, Nevada and all parties reside or operate in Nye County, Nevada. Thus, 13 pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1391(b)(2) and 1391(c), venue is proper in the United States 14 District Court for the District of Nevada. PARTIES 15 7. 16 During all times relevant herein, Plaintiff Gary Miller is a United States 17 citizen who resides in Nye County, Nevada. Mr. Miller was the owner of a pet dog named 18 Blu. 19 8. Defendant Nye County is a political subdivision of the State of Nevada. 20 9. At all times, Defendant Nye County possessed the power and authority to 21 adopt policies and prescribe rules, regulations, policies, and practices affecting all facets of 22 the training, supervision, control, employment, assignment, and removal of individual 23 members of Nye County Sheriff’s Office (hereinafter “NCSO”). 10. 24 NCSO is a law enforcement agency for Nye County, Nevada with 25 jurisdiction over Nye County, Nevada, and is tasked with enforcing state, federal, and local 26 laws. 27 28 11. Defendant John Tolle (“Defendant Tolle”), a deputy with NCSO, shot and killed Blu while responding to a false residential alarm. Defendant Tolle violated Mr. 3 Case 2:19-cv-00601-JAD-DJA Document 14-1 Filed 09/24/19 Page 5 of 20 1 Miller’s Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights by shooting and killing Blu while 2 responding to a false residential alarm. This constituted an unreasonable seizure of Plaintiff 3 Miller’s property. 4 12. 5 adopt policies and prescribe rules, regulations, policies, and practices affecting all facets of 6 the operation of Nye County Animal Control. Nye County is also responsible for the day- 7 to-day operations of the Nye County Animal Shelter located at 20 Goldfinch Lane, Tonopah, 8 Nevada 89049. 13. 9 Nye County Animal Control provides enforcement of state and local laws 10 pertaining to animal welfare, public health and safety, rabies control, quarantine, animal 11 cruelty investigations, barking dogs, and animals-at-large. 14. 12 ATTORNEYS AT LAW 701 EAST BRIDGER AVE., SUITE 520 LAS VEGAS, NV 89101 (702)728-5300 (T) / (702)425-8220 (F) WWW.NVLITIGATION.COM At all times, Defendant Nye County possessed the power and authority to Nye County Animal Control destroyed the corpse of Mr. Miller’s pet dog, 13 Blu, without informing Mr. Miller or obtaining his consent. This constituted an 14 unreasonable seizure of Plaintiff Miller’s property and conversion. 15. 15 Upon information and belief, Defendant NCSO is aware of and either 16 explicitly or implicitly condoned or created a policy and practice of allowing NCSO 17 deputies under its command to kill the pet dogs when responding to calls for service. These 18 killings constitute a destruction of property that is not reasonably necessary to effectuate the 19 performance of law enforcement officers’ duties in executing search warrants, and thus 20 routinely violate victims’ Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights. 16. 21 The naming of Defendants herein is based upon information and belief. 22 Plaintiff reserves his right to name additional defendants and modify their allegations 23 concerning defendants named herein. Plaintiff further reserves his right to amend these 24 allegations to identify by name any other person or persons he learns has responsibility for 25 the killing of his pet dog or other wrongful acted detailed in this Complaint. 26 /// 27 /// 28 /// 4 Case 2:19-cv-00601-JAD-DJA Document 14-1 Filed 09/24/19 Page 6 of 20 STANDING 1 2 Plaintiff was directly affected and injured by Defendants’ actions, as well 3 as their practices and policies of violating the constitutional rights of Plaintiff, as set forth 4 more fully herein, and/or other abuses by Defendants operating under color of law as alleged 5 herein. 6 18. An actual case and controversy exists between Plaintiff and Defendants 7 concerning their respective rights, privileges, and obligations. 8 FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS 9 10 11 12 ATTORNEYS AT LAW 701 EAST BRIDGER AVE., SUITE 520 LAS VEGAS, NV 89101 (702)728-5300 (T) / (702)425-8220 (F) WWW.NVLITIGATION.COM 17. Residence of Plaintiff Miller 19. At all times relevant to this action, Mr. Miller and his pet dog Blu resided at 2780 Our Road, Pahrump, Nevada 89060. 20. At all times relevant to this action, Mr. Miller had a large chain-link fence 13 surrounding the entirety of his property, with three gates for ingress and egress, including a 14 gate near the front door of Mr. Miller’s residence. The three access gates to Mr. Miller’s 15 property were kept closed at all times. 16 17 18 21. At all times relevant to this action, there was a concrete path leading from the rear of the property to the front door of Mr. Miller’s residence. 22. At all times relevant to this action, Mr. Miller’s residence was equipped 19 with a silent alarm system that was monitored by Pahrump Central Security, a private alarm 20 company. 21 22 23 23. At all times relevant to this action, Mr. Miller possessed a remote for the silent alarm system which has a “panic button” that he kept on a key fob. 24. Upon information and belief, when the panic button on the remote for the 24 silent alarm system is activated, Pahrump Central Security contacts NCSO dispatchers. 25 Plaintiff Miller’s Pet Dog 26 27 28 25. At all times relevant to this action, Mr. Miller was the owner of Blu, a six- year-old male pit bull-type dog. 26. Mr. Miller adopted Blu when Blu was approximately five weeks old. 5 Case 2:19-cv-00601-JAD-DJA Document 14-1 Filed 09/24/19 Page 7 of 20 1 2 27. type of aggression towards humans. 3 28. Indeed, Blu was very friendly with humans. Mr. Miller, a power lifter, 4 often invited people over to his residence to train them in a home gym he has on the property. 5 Blu was friendly with every person who came to Mr. Miller’s house to train. 29. 6 Upon information and belief, and the time he was shot by Defendant Tolle, 7 Blu was up-to-date on all his vaccinations. 8 Defendant Tolle Shoots and Kills Blu on April 10, 2017 30. 9 ATTORNEYS AT LAW 701 EAST BRIDGER AVE., SUITE 520 LAS VEGAS, NV 89101 (702)728-5300 (T) / (702)425-8220 (F) WWW.NVLITIGATION.COM During the six years that Mr. Miller owned Blu, Blu had never shown any At or around 4:00 p.m. on April 10, 2017, Mr. Miller was sitting on a couch 10 inside his residence. Unbeknownst to Mr. Miller, while he was sitting on his couch inside 11 his residence, he sat on the remote for the alarm system which was attached to his key fob, 12 activating the panic button and triggering the silent alarm. 31. 13 At approximately 4:23 p.m., after Mr. Miller accidentally activated the 14 panic button on his silent alarm remote, an employee of Pahrump Central Security contacted 15 NCSO dispatchers to report the activation of the silent alarm at Mr. Miller’s residence. 32. 16 17 After receiving the call from Pahrump Central Security, NCSO dispatched Defendant Tolle to Mr. Miller’s residence to investigate the activated silent alarm. 33. 18 After calling NCSO dispatchers, an employee of Pahrump Central Security 19 contacted Mr. Miller to notify him that the silent alarm to his residence had been triggered 20 and that Pahrump Central Security had contacted NCSO. 34. 21 Mr. Miller informed the Pahrump Central Security employee that the 22 triggering of the silent alarm was accidental and provided an “abort code” to cancel the 23 alarm. 35. 24 Upon information and belief, an employee of Pahrump Central Security 25 then contacted NCSO dispatch and informed a dispatcher that the silent alarm was a false 26 alarm. 27 28 36. The NCSO dispatcher responded that she would inform the unit in route of the false alarm. 6 Case 2:19-cv-00601-JAD-DJA Document 14-1 Filed 09/24/19 Page 8 of 20 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 ATTORNEYS AT LAW 701 EAST BRIDGER AVE., SUITE 520 LAS VEGAS, NV 89101 (702)728-5300 (T) / (702)425-8220 (F) WWW.NVLITIGATION.COM 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 37. At all times relevant to this action, Defendant Tolle was wearing a body- worn camera. 38. Upon information and belief, prior to his arrival at Mr. Miller’s residence, Defendant Tolle activated his body-worn camera to record his actions. 39. Upon information and belief, as Deputy Tolle was driving to Mr. Miller’s residence, he was agitated and cursing at other drivers. 40. At the time Defendant Tolle arrived at Mr. Miller’s residence, the access gates to the fence surrounding Mr. Miller’s residence were closed. 41. At the time of Defendant Tolle’s arrival at Mr. Miller’s property, Blu was behind Mr. Miller’s residence. 42. Defendant Tolle entered Mr. Miller’s property by opening the access gate near the front of Mr. Miller’s residence. 43. As Defendant Tolle began walking on the path leading to the front door of Mr. Miller’s residence, Blu, who was still at the rear of the residence, began barking. 44. Before Defendant Tolle saw Blu, he started talking to himself, saying, “Oh, don’t be mean. Don’t be vicious.” 45. Defendant Tolle then knocked on the front door of Mr. Miller’s residence. As he did so, Blu continued to bark and came around the side of the house. 46. Defendant Tolle then began talking to Blu, and said “Oh, don’t do it doggy. Don’t do it, doggy. Stop it. Stop it” in a low, monotone voice. 47. When Blu was approximately ten feet away from Defendant Tolle, Defendant Tolle shot at Blu using his service weapon. 48. Defendant Tolle fired his weapon at Blu a total of four times. The first two 24 shots missed Blu, and Blu turned to his right, away from Defendant Tolle. Defendant Tolle 25 then shot Blu once in the side of his head as he was facing away from Defendant Tolle. 26 27 28 49. Approximately 12 seconds elapsed between the first time Blu barked and when Defendant Tolle shot him. 50. Defendant Tolle then notified NCSO that he had discharged his firearm. 7 Case 2:19-cv-00601-JAD-DJA Document 14-1 Filed 09/24/19 Page 9 of 20 1 2 51. gunshot wound. 3 52. 4 door of his residence. 5 53. 6 8 54. 55. 56. Shortly after Defendant Tolle shot Blu, NCSO Sergeant Gregory Deutch Upon the arrival of Sergeant Deutch, Defendant Tolle exited Mr. Miller’s property, approached Sergeant Deutch’s patrol vehicle, and began discussing the shooting. 57. 13 14 Defendant Tolle responded that Blu was attacking him and that Blu was arrived at Mr. Miller’s property in a marked patrol vehicle. 11 12 Mr. Miller, upset and confused, immediately asked Defendant Tolle if he barking and growling at him. 9 10 Immediately after Defendant Tolle shot Blu, Mr. Miller exited the front had shot Blu. 7 ATTORNEYS AT LAW 701 EAST BRIDGER AVE., SUITE 520 LAS VEGAS, NV 89101 (702)728-5300 (T) / (702)425-8220 (F) WWW.NVLITIGATION.COM Upon information and belief, Blu did not immediately die as a result of his During their conversation, Defendant Tolle claimed that Blu had tried to attack him. 58. 15 Sergeant Deutch said that he had met Mr. Miller before, and that Mr. Miller 16 was “kind of an asshole sometimes.” Defendant Tolle responded, “Especially when I shoot 17 his dog he is.” 59. 18 A NCSO detective arrived at Mr. Miller’s residence in an unmarked 19 vehicle. Defendant Tolle approached the detective in the unmarked patrol vehicle and 20 reiterated his claim that Blu had tried to attack him, stating that Blu was “snarling and 21 generally trying to attack me.” 60. 22 Defendant Tolle and Sergeant Deutch exhibited extreme disregard for Mr. 23 Miller’s distress by joking about Blu’s death. Sergeant Deutch jokingly stated “He dead. 24 That dog dead. He dead a couple ways from Sunday,” eliciting a laugh from Defendant 25 Tolle. 26 61. Sergeant Deutch then told Defendant Tolle that he would need to fill out a 27 use of force report and speak to his union representative and walked back toward Mr. 28 Miller’s property. 8 Case 2:19-cv-00601-JAD-DJA Document 14-1 Filed 09/24/19 Page 10 of 20 1 62. 2 Defendant Tolle would have to fill out a use of force report, and Defendant Tolle responded, 3 “Yeah, maybe I’ll get some time off now” and began laughing. Defendant Tolle then said, 4 “This is why I can’t deal with dog lovers. It’s a dog. It’s [sic] did its job, it was protecting 5 your house, I understand that, but it is what it is.” 63. 6 Meanwhile, Mr. Miller asked the assembled NCSO personnel if any of 7 them were going to do anything to help Blu, who was still alive and bleeding. Sergeant 8 Deutch responded that he had called Animal Control. While the NCSO personnel were 9 laughing and joking about shooting Blu, Mr. Miller was left watching his dog suffer. 10 Animal Control Takes Blu 64. 11 ATTORNEYS AT LAW 701 EAST BRIDGER AVE., SUITE 520 LAS VEGAS, NV 89101 (702)728-5300 (T) / (702)425-8220 (F) WWW.NVLITIGATION.COM The NCSO detective in the unmarked vehicle expressed incredulity that While Defendant Tolle was having a laugh about his anticipated 12 administrative leave following his shooting of Blu, Nye County Animal Control Officer 13 Levi Gregory arrived at Mr. Miller’s property. 65. 14 15 Mr. Miller helped Officer Gregory load Blu, who was still alive, into Officer Gregory’s vehicle. 66. 16 Officer Gregory told Mr. Miller that he was going to take Blu to the Nye 17 County Animal Shelter, and further told Mr. Miller that he was meeting a veterinarian at the 18 shelter. 19 67. Upon information and belief, Officer Gregory removed Blu from the 20 residence and transported him to the Nye County Animal Shelter, located at 20 Goldfinch 21 Lane, Tonopah, Nevada 89049. 22 23 24 68. Sometime after Officer Gregory removed Blu from Mr. Miller’s residence, Blu died from the gunshot wound to his head. 69. Upon information and belief, Nye County Animal Control should have put 25 a hold on Blu’s body pending an investigation by NCSO into Defendant Tolle’s use of 26 deadly force. 27 70. 28 Upon information and belief, the Nye County Animal Shelter failed to place a hold on Blu’s body. 9 Case 2:19-cv-00601-JAD-DJA Document 14-1 Filed 09/24/19 Page 11 of 20 1 71. 2 Miller repeatedly contacted the Nye County Animal Shelter to determine if Blu was alive. 3 After several phone calls to the shelter and to NCSO’s Internal Affairs Bureau, Mr. Miller 4 learned that Blu had died and that the Nye County Animal Shelter had cremated Blu’s body. 5 72. Mr. Miller had not authorized the cremation of Blu’s body. 6 73. Nine days after Blu’s cremation, Officer Gregory traveled to Mr. Miller’s 7 residence and presented Mr. Miller with what was purported to be Blu’s cremated remains. 74. 8 Upon information and belief, the purported remains Officer Gregory 9 presented to Mr. Miller were not Blu’s remains. 10 Defendant Nye County Issues a Press Release 75. 11 ATTORNEYS AT LAW 701 EAST BRIDGER AVE., SUITE 520 LAS VEGAS, NV 89101 (702)728-5300 (T) / (702)425-8220 (F) WWW.NVLITIGATION.COM For approximately three days after the April 10, 2017 shooting of Blu, Mr. One June 12, 2017, NCSO issued a press release addressing Defendant 12 Tolle’s April 10, 2017 shooting of Blu and the subsequent mishandling of Blu’s remains. 13 (Exhibit 1.) 14 76. In that press release, Nye County Sheriff Sharon Wehrly stated that 15 Defendant Tolle “was provided immediate remedial training prior to his return to patrol 16 responsibilities to ensure his interactions with the public and their pets is appropriate” 17 pending the outcome of an Internal Affairs investigation. (See Exhibit 1.) Thus, NCSO 18 acknowledged through its statements and actions that it had not provided Defendant Tolle 19 with adequate training regarding interacting with pet dogs. 77. 20 Additionally, the June 12, 2017 press release addressed the improper 21 destruction of Blu’s remains, stating that “[t]he Animal Control Officer that was responsible 22 for the handling of [Blu’s] remains is on administrative leave pending the outcome of the 23 investigation.” (Exhibit 1.) 24 /// 25 /// 26 /// 27 /// 28 /// 10 Case 2:19-cv-00601-JAD-DJA Document 14-1 Filed 09/24/19 Page 12 of 20 CAUSES OF ACTION 1 2 FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION VIOLATION OF THE FOURTH AND FOURTEENTH AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES PURSUANT TO 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (BY GARY MILLER AGAINST DEFENDANT TOLLE) 3 4 5 6 78. 7 forth herein. 8 79. 9 10 ATTORNEYS AT LAW 701 EAST BRIDGER AVE., SUITE 520 LAS VEGAS, NV 89101 (702)728-5300 (T) / (702)425-8220 (F) WWW.NVLITIGATION.COM 11 Plaintiff repeats and re-alleges Paragraphs 1 through 77 as though fully set The Fourth Amendment protects “[t]he right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures.” U.S. Const. amend. IV. 80. “[T]he destruction of property by state officials poses as much of a threat, 12 if not more, to people's right to be ‘secure ... in their effects' as does the physical taking of 13 them.” Fuller v. Vines, 36 F.3d 65, 68 (9th Cir.1994), overruled on other grounds, Robinson 14 v. Solano County,278 F.3d 1007, 1013 (9th Cir.2002) (citation omitted). “The killing of 15 [a] dog is a destruction recognized as a seizure under the Fourth Amendment” and can 16 constitute a cognizable claim under § 1983. Id. 17 81. “Reasonableness is the touchstone of any seizure under the Fourth 18 Amendment.” San Jose Charter of Hells Angels Motorcycle Club v. City of San Jose, 402 19 F.3d 962, 975 (9th Cir. 2005). A seizure becomes unreasonable—and thus unlawful—when 20 it is “more intrusive than necessary.” Florida v. Royer, 460 U.S. 491, 504, 103 S.Ct. 1319, 21 75 L.Ed.2d 229 (1983)). 22 82. To determine whether the seizure of property was reasonable, courts must 23 balance “the nature and quality of the intrusion on the individual's Fourth Amendment 24 interests against the countervailing governmental interests at stake.” Graham v. Connor, 25 490 U.S. 386, 396, 109 S.Ct. 1865, 104 L.Ed.2d 443 (1989) (citation and internal quotation 26 marks omitted). 27 28 83. The killing of a person’s dog constitutes an unconstitutional destruction of property absent a sufficiently compelling governmental interest. Hells Angels, 402 F.3d at 11 Case 2:19-cv-00601-JAD-DJA Document 14-1 Filed 09/24/19 Page 13 of 20 1 2 84. In weighing the governmental interests involved, courts must consider, 3 inter alia, (1) the severity of the crime at issue, (2) whether the suspect poses an immediate 4 threat to the safety of the officers or others, and (3) whether he is actively resisting arrest or 5 attempting to evade arrest by flight. Chew v. Gates, 27 F.3d 1432, 1440 (9th Cir. 1994). 6 85. Moreover, the Fourth Amendment “forbids the killing of a person’s dog, 7 or the destruction of a person's property, when that destruction is unnecessary—i.e., when 8 less intrusive, or less destructive, alternatives exist.” Hells Angels, 402 F.3d at 977-78. 9 ATTORNEYS AT LAW 701 EAST BRIDGER AVE., SUITE 520 LAS VEGAS, NV 89101 (702)728-5300 (T) / (702)425-8220 (F) WWW.NVLITIGATION.COM 977. 86. Defendant Tolle acted under color of law, and his actions violated 10 Plaintiff’s right against an unreasonable search and seizure as guaranteed by the Fourth 11 Amendment. The Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. 12 Constitution incorporates the Fourth Amendment, protecting the right of an individual to be 13 free from unreasonable searches and seizures of their property by agents of state and local 14 governments. 15 87. Plaintiff’s rights were, or should have been, known to Defendant Tolle. 16 88. Defendant Tolle’s shooting and killing of Mr. Miller’s pet dog Blu was per 17 se unreasonable because exigent circumstances did not exist, and his shooting of Blu was 18 not the least destructive alternative. The callous nature of the shooting and disregard for 19 Blu’s life was reflected in Defendant Tolle’s attitude and comments. 20 89. As a result of the above-described act of killing his pet dog Blu, Plaintiff 21 Miller was deprived of rights and immunities secured to him under the Constitution of and 22 laws of the United States including, but not limited to, his rights under the Fourth and 23 Fourteenth Amendments to be secure in his person, the execution of his animals, to be free 24 from the use of deadly force, to be free from punishment without due process, and to equal 25 protection of the laws. 26 90. As a direct and proximate cause of Defendant Tolle’s violations of the 27 Fourth Amendment, Plaintiff Miller has suffered, is suffering, and will continue to suffer 28 damages in an amount subject to proof, and he is entitled to: declaratory relief against 12 Case 2:19-cv-00601-JAD-DJA Document 14-1 Filed 09/24/19 Page 14 of 20 1 Defendant; attorneys’ fees and costs from Defendant; and monetary, compensatory, and 2 punitive damages from Defendant. SECOND CAUSE OF ACTION VIOLATION OF THE FOURTH AND FOURTEENTH AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES PURSUANT TO 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (BY GARY MILLER AGAINST DEFENDANT NYE COUNTY) 3 4 5 6 91. 7 8 forth herein. 92. 9 10 11 ATTORNEYS AT LAW 701 EAST BRIDGER AVE., SUITE 520 LAS VEGAS, NV 89101 (702)728-5300 (T) / (702)425-8220 (F) WWW.NVLITIGATION.COM 12 15 16 17 18 deliberate indifference to the safety and Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights of the citizens of the Nye County. 93. 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 The unnecessary shooting and killing of Blu reflects inadequate training and supervision. Defendant Nye County is liable because at all relevant times, the entity is responsible for making and enforcing constitutional policies with respect to officer interactions with citizens in Nye County and it failed to do, as evidenced by the fact that NCSO found it was necessary to provide Defendant Tolle with remedial training after his April 10, 2017 shooting of Blu. 94. 19 20 The failure of Defendant Nye County provide adequate training and supervision regarding the lawful use of an officer’s service weapon on dogs amounts to 13 14 Plaintiff repeats and re-alleges Paragraphs 1 through 90 as though fully set As a direct and proximate cause of Defendant Nye County’s deliberate indifference to the safety and constitutional rights of citizens, Plaintiff has suffered, is suffering, and will continue to suffer damages in an amount subject to proof, and Plaintiff is entitled to: declaratory relief against all Defendant Nye County as well as its officers; attorneys’ fees and costs from Defendant; and monetary, compensatory, and punitive damages from Defendant Nye County. /// /// /// /// 13 Case 2:19-cv-00601-JAD-DJA Document 14-1 Filed 09/24/19 Page 15 of 20 THIRD CAUSE OF ACTION NEGLIGENCE UNDER NEV. REV. STAT. § 41.0337 (BY GARY MILLER AGAINST DEFENDANT NYE COUNTY) 1 2 3 4 95. 5 forth herein. 6 96. Defendant Nye County, as the political subdivision of the state responsible 7 for the operations of the Nye County Animal Shelter, has a duty under Nevada law to 8 properly handle the remains of pet dogs in its possession, custody, or control. 9 97. Defendant Nye County violated this duty when it destroyed the remains of 10 Plaintiff Miller’s deceased pet dog, Blu by cremating Blu’s remains without Plaintiff 11 Miller’s knowledge or consent. 12 ATTORNEYS AT LAW 701 EAST BRIDGER AVE., SUITE 520 LAS VEGAS, NV 89101 (702)728-5300 (T) / (702)425-8220 (F) WWW.NVLITIGATION.COM Plaintiff repeats and re-alleges Paragraphs 1 through 93 as though fully set 13 98. destroyed Blu’s cremated remains. 14 15 Defendant Nye County also violated this duty when it misplaced, lost, or 99. Defendant Nye County’s breach of this duty inflicted severe emotional distress upon Plaintiff Miller. 16 100. As a result of this breach, Plaintiff has suffered, is suffering, and will 17 continue to suffer damages in an amount subject to proof, and Plaintiff is entitled to: 18 declaratory relief against Defendant Nye County; attorneys’ fees and costs from Defendant 19 Nye County; and monetary, compensatory, and punitive damages from Defendant Nye 20 County. FOURTH CAUSE OF ACTION NEGLIGENCE UNDER NEV. REV. STAT. § 41.0336 (BY GARY MILLER AGAINST ALL DEFENDANTS) 21 22 23 24 25 26 101. Plaintiff repeats and re-alleges Paragraphs 1 through 100 as though fully set forth herein. 102. Defendant Nye County and Defendant Tolle have a duty under Nevada law 27 to perform warrantless entries into private property in a reasonable manner that does not 28 lead to the unnecessary death of pet animals. 14 Case 2:19-cv-00601-JAD-DJA Document 14-1 Filed 09/24/19 Page 16 of 20 1 2 3 Defendants’ breach of this duty inflicted severe emotional distress upon Plaintiff Miller. 104. Defendant Nye County is liable because Defendant Tolle was at all 4 relevant times in the employ of Defendant Nye County, and Defendant Nye County is 5 responsible for its deputies’ conduct. Defendant Tolle was not acting independently, 6 committed the wrongful acts during the course of his official duties as an NCSO deputy, 7 and such actions were reasonably foreseeable where Nye County routinely responds to calls 8 for service at private residences where pet dogs are present. 9 ATTORNEYS AT LAW 701 EAST BRIDGER AVE., SUITE 520 LAS VEGAS, NV 89101 (702)728-5300 (T) / (702)425-8220 (F) WWW.NVLITIGATION.COM 103. 105. As a result of this breach, Plaintiff has suffered, is suffering, and will 10 continue to suffer damages in an amount subject to proof, and Plaintiff is entitled to: 11 declaratory relief against all Defendants; attorneys’ fees and costs from Defendants; and 12 monetary, compensatory, and punitive damages from Defendants. 13 FIFTH CAUSE OF ACTION NEGLIGENT TRAINING, SUPERVISION, AND RETENTION UNDER NEV. REV. STAT. § 41.130 (BY GARY MILLER AGAINST DEFENDANT NYE COUNTY) 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 106. Plaintiff repeats and re-alleges Paragraphs 1 through 105 as though fully set forth herein. 107. Defendant Nye County owed a duty to persons such as the Plaintiff to use reasonable care in the training, supervision, and retention of their employees to make sure that their employees are fit for their positions by implementing policies and procedures designed to prevent wrongful acts by their employees, such as those committed by Defendant Tolle against Plaintiff. 108. Defendants breached this duty by allowing Defendant Tolle to interact with members of the public and their pet dogs without adequate training on the proper use of force against pet dogs. 109. Defendant Nye County is liable because at all relevant times, Defendant Tolle was in the employ of NCSO, which is responsible for its officers’ conduct. Defendant 15 Case 2:19-cv-00601-JAD-DJA Document 14-1 Filed 09/24/19 Page 17 of 20 1 Tolle was not acting independently, committed the wrongful acts during the course of his 2 official duties as a police officer, and such actions were reasonably foreseeable considering 3 the nature and scope of his employment as a police officer. 4 110. 5 continue to suffer damages in an amount subject to proof, and Plaintiff is entitled to: 6 declaratory relief against Defendant Nye County; attorneys’ fees and costs from Defendant 7 Nye County; and monetary, compensatory, and punitive damages from Defendant Nye 8 County. 9 10 SIXTH CAUSE OF ACTION INTENTIONAL INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS UNDER NEV. REV. STAT. § 41.130 (BY GARY MILLER AGAINST ALL DEFENDANTS) 11 12 ATTORNEYS AT LAW 701 EAST BRIDGER AVE., SUITE 520 LAS VEGAS, NV 89101 (702)728-5300 (T) / (702)425-8220 (F) WWW.NVLITIGATION.COM As a result of these breaches, Plaintiff has suffered, is suffering, and will 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 111. Plaintiff repeats and re-alleges Paragraphs 1 through 110 as though fully set forth herein. 112. Defendants intentionally caused Plaintiff to suffer severe emotional distress, as evidenced by their outrageous and unreasonable conduct of shooting Plaintiff’s dog when no exigent circumstance existed. Defendant Tolle conducted himself with reckless disregard for inflicting emotional distress on Plaintiff. 113. Defendant Tolle intentionally caused Plaintiff to suffer severe emotional distress, as evidenced by his outrageous and unreasonable conduct of shooting Plaintiff’s dog when no exigent circumstances existed, and without attempting to use less lethal forms of force. 114. Defendant Nye County is liable because Defendant Tolle was at all relevant times in the employ of Nye County and it is responsible for Defendant Tolle’s conduct. Defendant Tolle was not acting independently, committed the wrongful acts during the course of his official duties as an NCSO deputy, and such actions were reasonably foreseeable where Defendant Nye County routinely sends its deputies to respond to calls for service at residences where pet dogs are present. 115. 80. As a result of this breach, Plaintiff has suffered, is suffering, and will continue to suffer damages in an amount subject to proof, and Plaintiff is entitled to: 16 Case 2:19-cv-00601-JAD-DJA Document 14-1 Filed 09/24/19 Page 18 of 20 1 declaratory relief against all Defendants; attorneys’ fees and costs from all Defendants; and 2 monetary, compensatory, and punitive damages from Defendants. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 ATTORNEYS AT LAW 701 EAST BRIDGER AVE., SUITE 520 LAS VEGAS, NV 89101 (702)728-5300 (T) / (702)425-8220 (F) WWW.NVLITIGATION.COM 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 SEVENTH CAUSE OF ACTION NEGLIGENT INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS UNDER NEV. REV. STAT. § 41.130 (BY GARY MILLER AGAINST ALL DEFENDANTS) 116. set forth herein. 117. 118. 26 Defendant Tolle’s breach of this duty inflicted severe, physical emotional distress upon Plaintiff Miller. 119. Defendant Nye County is liable because Defendant Tolle was at all relevant times in the employ of Defendant Nye County, and Defendant Nye County is responsible for its deputies’ conduct. Defendant Tolle was not acting independently, committed the wrongful acts during the course of his official duties as an NCSO deputy, and such actions were reasonably foreseeable where Defendant Nye County routinely sends its deputies to respond to calls for service at residences where pet dogs are present. 120. As a result of this breach, Plaintiff has suffered, is suffering, and will continue to suffer damages in an amount subject to proof, and Plaintiff is entitled to: declaratory relief against all Defendants; attorneys’ fees and costs from Defendants; and monetary, compensatory, and punitive damages from Defendants. EIGHTH CAUSE OF ACTION CONVERSION (BY GARY MILLER AGAINST ALL DEFENDANTS) 23 25 Defendant Tolle owed Plaintiff a duty to not shoot his pet dog when there were no exigent circumstances, and breached that duty by shooting his pet dog, Blu. 22 24 Plaintiff repeats and re-alleges Paragraphs 1 through 115 as though fully 121. Plaintiff repeats and re-alleges Paragraphs 1 through 120 as though fully set forth herein. 122. Defendant Nye County exercised the act of dominion wrongfully over 27 Plaintiff’s property, his dog Blu, when it not only removed Blu from Plaintiff’s premises 28 but also then cremated Blu’s body. 17 Case 2:19-cv-00601-JAD-DJA Document 14-1 Filed 09/24/19 Page 19 of 20 1 123. 2 cremating Blu’s body against Plaintiff’s request was in derogation of or in defiance of 3 Plaintiff’s rights to Blu’s body, his property. 4 5 124. As set forth in paragraphs 1 through 123 above, Defendant Nye County has engaged in tortious or unlawful conduct that cannot be justified or excused in law. 125. 6 As a result of these breaches, Plaintiff has suffered, is suffering, and will 7 continue to suffer damages in an amount subject to proof, and Plaintiff is entitled to: 8 declaratory relief against Defendant Nye County; attorneys’ fees and costs from Defendant 9 Nye County; and monetary, compensatory, and punitive damages from Defendant Nye 10 County. PRAYER FOR RELIEF 11 ATTORNEYS AT LAW 701 EAST BRIDGER AVE., SUITE 520 LAS VEGAS, NV 89101 (702)728-5300 (T) / (702)425-8220 (F) WWW.NVLITIGATION.COM Defendant Nye County’s act of refusing to release Blu’s body and then 12 WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully prays as follows: 13 For a trial by jury on all issues; 14 15 16 For an additional amount to account for additional taxes Plaintiff may be called upon to pay in relation to awards made herein; 19 20 For monetary, compensatory, and punitive damages allowable under law in an amount to which the Plaintiff is found to be entitled; 17 18 For declaratory relief; Attorneys’ fees and costs incurred herein pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1988 and all applicable statutory authority; and 21 22 /// 23 /// 24 /// 25 /// 26 /// 27 /// 28 /// Entry of such other and further relief the Court deems just and proper. 18 Case 2:19-cv-00601-JAD-DJA Document 14-1 Filed 09/24/19 Page 20 of 20 1 2 Plaintiff hereby demands a jury trial on all causes of action. 3 RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED this the 24th day of September, 2019. 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 /s/ Margaret A. McLetchie Margaret A. McLetchie, Nevada Bar No. 10931 Alina M. Shell, Nevada Bar No. 11711 MCLETCHIE LAW 701 East Bridger Ave., Suite 520 Las Vegas, NV 89101 Telephone: (702) 728-5300 Facsimile: (702) 425-8220 Email: maggie@nvlitigation.com 14 Jennifer L. Braster, Nevada Bar No. 9982 NAYLOR & BRASTER 1050 Indigo Drive, Suite 200 Las Vegas, NV 89145 Telephone: (702) 420-7000 Facsimile: (702) 420-7001 Email: jbraster@nblawnv.com 15 Counsel for Plaintiff, Gary Miller 11 12 ATTORNEYS AT LAW 701 EAST BRIDGER AVE., SUITE 520 LAS VEGAS, NV 89101 (702)728-5300 (T) / (702)425-8220 (F) WWW.NVLITIGATION.COM DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL 13 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 19

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