Teen Sues After Police K9 Mauled His Genitals

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - A federal lawsuit has been filed claiming 'excessive force' was used after a police dog attacked a teen's genitals as he was trying to surrender.

The suit, filed by Javarius Ragin and his mother against the Hialeah police department, claims Ragin's penis was "literally ripped open" and he was not afforded timely medical care immediately after, according to CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald.

The family's attorney, Rod Vereen, said doctors stitched up the injury which left extensive scarring.

Ragin, who was 14 at the time, was one of four people inside a stolen car that was pulled over by police on Christmas Day, 2013. Ragin said he was only a passenger.

During the traffic stop, Ragin and the others tried to escape on foot.

Ragin hid in an unlocked shed. He claims officer Earles Gonzalez opened the door and order his K9, Diesel, to attack him even though he had his hands up in the air, according to the Miami Herald.

The suit claims the police officers who arrived on the scene would not call for paramedics. Ragin was eventually taken to Palmetto General Hospital's Emergency Room.

Vereen said the officers involved in the attack failed to document the use of force against Ragin, spurring a complaint by Ragin to Hialeah's internal affairs bureau.

Ragin was charged with grand-theft auto, resisting with violence and unoccupied burglary. Those charges were dropped after he completed a program for first-time juvenile offenders.

CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald contributed to this report.