Security dog bites woman at Mayfair Mall, police describe fight
Security dog bites woman at Mayfair
A security K-9 bit a woman during an altercation at Wauwatosa's Mayfair Mall last week, police confirmed on Tuesday.
WAUWATOSA, Wis. - A security K-9 bit a woman during an altercation at Wauwatosa's Mayfair Mall last week, police confirmed on Tuesday.
Altercation at Mayfair Mall
The backstory:
According to the Wauwatosa Police Department, officers responded to the mall around 6:15 p.m. on March 28 for a reported fight.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android
When officers arrived at the scene, security advised the fight had ended and all parties left the property. Mall security did not request any police enforcement for the disorderly behavior.
Police said it has since been learned there was a verbal interaction between two groups of people believed to be known to each other. That escalated to a physical altercation and security intervention – where the K-9 bite occurred.
The woman who was bitten reported the incident to the police around noon on Saturday, March 29.
Attorney involved
What they're saying:
Amirah Walls, 19, said a Friday night at the mall quickly turned into her nightmare. Video showed the K-9 latched onto her leg for at least one minute.
"There was an alteration that resulted from other young ladies in which my client tried to protect not only herself but her friend," said Attorney B'Ivory LaMarr, Walls' attorney.
SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News
LaMarr said Walls is dealing with complications and potential nerve damage as a result of the K-9 bite.
"She has lacerations. She also has tingling and numbness that she's feeling at this point," said LaMarr. "She has involuntarily shaking of the leg that is going on at this point as well."
K-9 bites woman at Mayfair Mall
Cellphone video shows a K-9 bite a woman during Mayfair Mall altercation. FOX6 News edited the video to remove the sound. (Courtesy: Jessiano Ortiz)
LaMarr said the K-9 is part of Mayfair Mall's private security. He said there have been ongoing concerns about fights and disorderly conduct involving teens at the mall and the mall has "failed to implement effective, humane solutions."
"I think the presence and the force that resulted was completely unnecessary, was excessive," said LaMarr.
FOX6 News reached out to the private security company for comment, as well as Mayfair Mall, but did not hear back by Tuesday's deadline for this story. On Wednesday, an attorney representing the company said:
"On March 28, 2025, four (4) females engaged in an act of violence at Mayfair Mall, jeopardizing the safety and security of the community.
"Security personnel and a specialized gun detection K9 team immediately responded to ensure that no one was in possession of a firearm.
"Local law enforcement was contacted.
"No injuries were reported, and all four individuals involved fled the mall before law enforcement arrived.
"The safety and security of patrons remains the focus at Mayfair Mall."
Mayfair Mall incidents
Dig deeper:
Wauwatosa crime reports show, in 2024, there were 151 calls for service to Mayfair Mall for disorderly conduct. Through February of this year, there have been 29.
In a statement, the Wauwatosa Police Department said:
"This incident is a civil matter, not a criminal one. Our involvement is limited to filing the initial report and forwarding the report to the Health Department, in accordance with standard protocol for all animal bite incidents. This incident did not involve Wauwatosa Police officers or our Police K9s."
The Source: Information in this report is from the Wauwatosa Police Department.