A federal judge has ruled against a National Park Service ranger who used a stun gun on a man for being uncooperative about his off-leash dog in unincorporated San Mateo County.
Gary Hesterberg of Montara filed a lawsuit claiming his constitutional rights were violated in the Jan. 2012 incident, when he argued with ranger Sarah Cavallaro and gave her a false name.
Cavallaro used a Taser on Montara as she tried to detain him.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports the court on Thursday conceded that while lying to a police officer is not an offense to be taken lightly, there is nothing inherently dangerous about it — especially in connection to a warning about a leash law violation.
The court also found that Hesterberg, though uncooperative, never posed an immediate threat to Cavallaro.
Hesterberg was awarded $50,000 in damages.
Judge Rules Against Ranger Who Used Stun Gun on Dog Walker in San Mateo County
Copyright AP - Associated Press