The Gainesville Police Department (GPD) released body camera footage of the K-9 biting an innocent homeless woman hiding in the bushes on March 23.

In a GPD release sent on Thursday, the body camera footage was disclosed to the public following an internal review that involved the K-9 unit mistakenly apprehending the homeless woman.

The incident occurred on March 23 when officers responded to a call in the area of NW 13th Street regarding a felony domestic violence incident. The suspect the officers were searching for was a multiple-time violent felony offender on probation and wearing a court-ordered ankle monitor, according to the release.

When officers arrived on scene, the suspect was inside the residence and refused to come outside. When officers attempted to persuade the suspect to come outside, he broke out a sliding glass door and fled.

Officers pursued the suspect on foot, set up a perimeter and brought in a K-9 team.

According to the release, around 3:08 a.m., public address system announcements were being made by the K-9 handler that instructed the suspect he was under arrest and to surrender to police.

Receiving no response, the K-9 unit started tracking the suspect and, at 3:26 a.m. in the area of 3131 NW 13^th St., the K-9 located part of the ankle monitor next to a building. Officers continued to find additional pieces of the ankle monitor and discarded clothing around the same building.

The K-9 led officers into a fenced-in yard and to a person inside bushes who was wearing similar colored clothing as the suspect. Officers gave commands and the K-9 engaged the subject’s leg, only to determine that the person was not the suspect.

The K-9 was withdrawn and officers aided the woman until emergency responders arrived.

The body camera footage video, provided by GPD with a warning it contains sensitive material, can be downloaded by clicking on this link.

The victim of the K-9 attack was treated at a local hospital and, after her release, was given follow-up support and resources to aid her recovery, according to the GPD.

The suspect in the domestic violence incident was identified as Dovico Miles Jr., 27, who surrendered to law enforcement on Wednesday and is now in Alachua County Jail. Miles is being charged with felony domestic battery as a repeat offender on a no-bond status.

Over the past year-plus, the GPD K-9 unit has been under scrutiny following the apprehension of Terrell Bradley which resulted in serious bodily harm on July 10, 2022.

An investigation revealed the K-9 team followed protocol in the Bradley arrest, but the police K-9 that injured Bradley was suspended from service. GPD also disciplined five officers involved in the Bradley arrest for “improper behavior.”

GPD put its K-9 unit back on regular duty status on Jan. 22, 2024, after a 10-month hiatus.