Family Sues Bledsoe County And Deputies After Man Attacked By K-9 Dies

The family of a man who died after being attacked by a K-9 has filed suit against Bledsoe County government and two deputies. According to the lawsuit, Chad William Songer, age 41, was approached in his front yard by two deputies over warrants for violation of probation and unpaid child support.  The suit claims the deputies were shouting and as Songer backed away unarmed, not posing an imminent threat, one of the deputies released the K-9.  The suit said Songer was bitten multiple times, contributing to his death shortly after on January 31, 2021.  The suit, which seeks $280 million, states cause of death was “by acute methamphetamine overdose and dog bite.”  According to WTVC, Bledsoe County Sheriff Jimmy Morris said prior to the attack, Songer was holding an axe-like tool and was told repeatedly to put it down or the K-9 would be released.  When Songer refused to put the tool down, the K-9 was deployed. Sheriff Morris said that while he doesn’t know the cause of death, it “most definitely was not the dog.”