Sen. Murray Says ICE 'Attack Dog' Mauled Unresisting Constituent, Causing 'Horrific' Injuries

Senator Patty Murray Alleges ICE Used 'Attack Dog' During Arrest

Democratic Senator Patty Murray of Washington state has sharply criticized federal immigration enforcement after alleging that an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) "attack dog" mauled one of her constituents during a November detention.

Murray says Wilmer Toledo-Martinez, who was brought to the United States at age 15 and is undocumented, suffered "horrific" injuries when ICE agents allegedly lured him outside his home by posing as a construction worker who claimed to have hit his car.

"An ICE agent lured Wilmer out of his home under false pretenses, posing as a construction worker who claimed to have hit Wilmer's car and needed him to step outside to verify," Murray said. "Another agent, accompanied by a dog, was hiding nearby and released the dog on Wilmer shortly after he stepped outside."

Murray maintains that Toledo-Martinez was not resisting arrest or attempting to flee when the dog attacked. She said the arrest took place in front of his wife and two young children, who are U.S. citizens, and has called for his immediate release from the Northwest ICE processing center where he is being held.

According to Murray, Toledo-Martinez was left "shaking and dizzy" after the attack and briefly lost vision, but was denied medical care for hours. He was eventually taken to a hospital, where he received stitches for deep cuts to his side; antibiotics and other prescribed medication, she said, were not provided promptly.

Photos released by Murray show significant lacerations to Toledo-Martinez's side. "This should shock the conscience of every one of us," Murray said. "I do not want to live in an America where federal agents can sic attack dogs on peaceful residents with impunity and face no consequences."

The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Related Local Incidents Under Scrutiny

The report of the alleged mauling comes amid other local allegations of excessive force by ICE officers. Vancouver, Washington police said they are investigating an incident in which an ICE agent appeared to run over a man's foot during an arrest. OregonLive reported that an ICE agent struck Jose Guadalupe Paniagua Calderon, 27, with his vehicle during another arrest.

Separately, U.S. Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva of Arizona said she was "sprayed in the face" with a chemical agent during a protest against a federal immigration raid at a Tucson restaurant. Tucson Mayor Regina Romero and Vice Mayor Lane Santa Cruz said the enforcement operation "rapidly escalated into violence against the public."

This developing story raises questions about ICE tactics and detainee medical care; federal officials have yet to publicly address the specific allegations.