Protesters rally in Tuscaloosa after police dog bite almost cost man his arm Updated May 07, 2021; Facebook Share About 20 people gathered Friday afternoon at the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office to protest the department’s use of police dogs on a suspected shoplifter that nearly cost the man his arm. A handful of protesters wore shirts saying “Dogs are pets, not weapons,” and carried signs saying “Black Lives Matter,” and “Stop Police Brutality.” Several cars honked in show of support while driving up the busy thoroughfare in downtown Tuscaloosa. The btie occurred on March 5, 2021, when Derek Stokes was accused of shoplifting at the Walmart on Skyland Boulevard in Tuscaloosa. Stokes fled from an off-duty Tuscaloosa police officer but was bitten by a dog from the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.