In this sue-happy society of ours, it's good to know that some judges see lawsuits for what they are: ridiculous and without merit.
A woman from Eastpointe, Mich., who tried to sue a police dog that she claimed bit her on the buttocks was fined $500 last week for frivolously naming the dog as a defendant in her case.
Although the woman, Inez M. Starks, didn't say how she expected the dog to pay her if she won the case, she included the German Shepherd, Liberty, in her lawsuit against the city of Warren and several police officers for an incident in April 2007.
Police were called to the home of Starks' daughter after receiving a truancy complaint against the woman's granddaughter. Starks went to the home, and while she was there, police discovered an outstanding warrant against her son. The dog (he's not the one shown above) was summoned when police believed the son was attempting to flee the scene.
In the ensuing confrontation, Starks claimed she was bitten by the dog. The police report said there was no evidence of a bite wound.
The judge clearly saw the absurdity of a person suing a dog and ordered Starks to pay the fine.
Good thing, too. Think of the precedent had the case against Liberty been allowed to proceed.
