A Thibodaux man is suing the city's police department after he said he was bitten by a police dog during a traffic stop last year.

Curtis Washington filed the lawsuit April 5 in state District Court in Thibodaux, court records show.

Washington was a passenger Oct. 1 in a vehicle near St. Mary Street and Tiger Drive, according to the lawsuit. Thibodaux Police initiated a traffic stop, and the vehicle pulled into a private drive in the 100 block of St. Mary Street.

While Washington remained inside the car, a police dog was released that jumped inside and bit him on the arm, the lawsuit alleges.

Washington was obeying all police commands when he was attacked by the animal, his Baton Rouge attorney Eulis Simien said during an interview Tuesday.

“He didn’t do anything wrong,” Simien said. “It’s an unfortunate situation. He wasn’t being arrested. He was complying with the order to put his hands up and unfortunately the dog jumped into the car and bit him.”

In addition to the department, the suit names Cpl. Dustin Roberts as a defendant.

The lawsuit seeks damages for physical and mental injuries, medical bills and loss of earnings. Washington claims he sustained more than $50,000 in damages as a result of the injury.

The suit accuses the Police Department and Roberts of failing to take proper steps to restrain the animal.

Thibodaux Police declined to comment and referred all questions to City Attorney Beau Brooks. Brooks could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

-- Staff Writer Dan Copp can be reached at 448-7639 or at dan.copp@houmatoday.com. Follow him on Twitter @DanVCopp.