City officials in Butler responded to a federal lawsuit filed this week by a Franklin County man against the City of Butler, its police department, two police officers and the former deputy police chief.

Joshua Rivera claims officers used excessive force and allowed the department’s dog to bite him multiple times — including on the neck — after he attempted to flee during a traffic stop two years ago.

“We consider it a nuisance complaint,” Butler solicitor Tom Breth told reporters after the city council meeting Tuesday evening, adding that he will work with the city’s insurance provider to resolve the matter.

Rivera filed the civil action in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania on Monday, naming Officer Brian Grooms and another unidentified officer as defendants, along with former deputy police chief David Adam, the police department and the city.

In his complaint, Rivera claims he was “viciously attacked” by the department’s trained police dog, even after he had been tasered by officers.

The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages because Rivera suffered permanent nerve damage and scarring due to his run-in with officers that led to his being transported by helicopter to the hospital for his injuries.