Detroit Settling Case Over Dead Dogs For About $60,000

DETROIT (AP) — The city of Detroit has agreed to pay about $60,000 to settle a lawsuit with the owners of three dogs that were killed during a police raid.

Attorney Christopher Olson says the deal was disclosed in federal court last week but still needs approval from the city council.

Nikita Smith and Kevin Thomas said their civil rights were violated when three dogs were killed during a search for drugs in 2015. The owners won a key decision last fall when a federal appeals court said they were entitled to due process.

The court said police officers can't "kill every unlicensed dog on the spot," just like they can't immediately destroy an unlicensed car. Detroit police had argued that Debo, a pit bull, and Smoke, a Rottweiler, were aggressive.

© 2019 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.