San Mateo County

Judge Rules Against Ranger Who Used Stun Gun on Dog Walker in San Mateo County

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.
 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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