An Idaho couple has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit alleging that members of the American Falls Fire Department unlawfully entered their home after police had already cleared the property following a false alarm, leading to injuries to two of their dogs.

According to the complaint, Deborah Eavenson Brown and Daniel John Brown own a residence in American Falls, Idaho. The Browns allege that they were out of town on June 17, 2025, when their alarm system generated a false alarm.

Quoting from the complaint:

• On June 17, 2025, Deborah Eavenson Brown and Daniel John Brown were out of town on a trip. While they were out of town their alarm system had been issuing false alarms.
• The false alarms alerts were caused by an outage through their supplier and were not created or caused by any actions of the Brown’s.
• Around 4:28 p.m. on June 17, 2025, an active alarm alert went out from the Brown’s security system.
• Around 4:29 p.m. American Falls Police Department responded. The responding officer was Detective Forrest Peck.
• Around 4:29 p.m. the American Falls Fire Department dispatched a fire truck to the Brown’s residence.
• Det. Peck arrived at the Brown’s residence first; around 4:32 p.m.
• Through the Brown’s doorbell mechanism Det. Peck was able to contact and communication with Deborah Brown.
• After speaking with Deborah Brown about the reason for his appearance, Det. Peck walked around the premises, checked on her three (3) dogs, and cleared the residence. No smoke was present, nor did it appear that anyone had entered the Brown’s property without authorization.
• After completing his walk around, Det. Peck informed Deborah Brown that he cleared the residence.
• Two (2) of three (3) dogs owned by the Browns are specialized dogs. The smaller dog, a Corgi named Emma. Emma is a prized show dog. The other specialized dog, Rowdy, is a service dog for Ms. Brown who has a medical condition requiring a service animal. Rowdy is a Lab-Retriever mix and has been Mrs. Brown service dog for about four (4) years. Their last animal is a mixed-bred animal and is a pet.
• After completing his walk around and clearing the residence, Det. Peck sent out an all clear to all responding emergency services including the American Falls Fire Department at around 4:32 p.m.
• Det. Peck observed that Mr. Annen permitted Emma to escape the inner-fenced are of their yard.
• Det. Peck then observed Mr. Annen and other firefighters from the American Falls Fire Department corner and capture the dog. Mr. Annen accomplished this by jumping at Emma.
• Emma was injured by the actions of Mr. Annen and the other firefighters.
• Rowdy, who did not get out, has been traumatized by Mr. Annen accessing the Brown’s home. It is unknown what happened in the home during the six (6) or, so minutes Mr. Annen was in the Browns’ home. Since then, Rowdy has not been able to work as a service dog for Mrs. Brown.
• Emma, who Mr. Annen permitted to escape, was injured in the melee.
• For reasons unknown to the Browns, Mr. Annen determined that he personally needed to enter and clear the Browns’ home even though Det. Peck informed him of the situation and had cleared the property.
• Mr. Annen’s error was not an honest mistake.
• Mr. Annen’s had no reason to enter the Brown’s home. He had already been informed by Det. Peck that he had cleared the house, did not observe any smoke, saw flames, or notice anything else out of the ordinary.
• Since the intrusion of the Brown’s home and the damage to their personal property, no one with the county or the City of American Falls has paid for the damage.
• Around 4:32 p.m. the American Falls Fire Department fire truck arrived at the Brown’s residence. The responding fire department personnel then did a walk around with Det. Peck.
• Upon arrival, then Acting Fire Chief Jim Annen and Det. Peck spoke. Det. Peck informed Mr. Annen, that he: spoke to the Browns, walked around the house, and had cleared the property prior to Mr. Annen arriving at the scene. Det. Peck further informed Mr. Annen that three (3) dogs were in the home.
• Acting Fire Chief Jim Annen, even with the all-clear indication from Det. Peck determined to do his own walk around the home.
• After completing his walk-around, at approximately 4:34 p.m. Acting Fire Chief Jim Annen, then entered the Brown’s home through their doggy door.
• Acting Fire Chief Jim Annen then was observed by Det. Peck and the Brown’s exiting the Brown’s residence around 4:40 p.m.
• Det. Peck observed that Mr. Annen permitted Emma to escape the inner-fenced are of their yard.
• Det. Peck then observed Mr. Annen and other firefighters from the American Falls Fire Department corner and capture the dog. Mr. Annen accomplished this by jumping at Emma. Emma was injured by the actions of Mr. Annen and the other firefighters.
• Rowdy, who did not get out, has been traumatized by Mr. Annen accessing the Brown’s home. It is unknown what happened in the home during the six (6) or, so minutes Mr. Annen was in the Browns’ home. Since then, Rowdy has not been able to work as a service dog for Mrs. Brown.
• Emma, who Mr. Annen permitted to escape, was injured in the melee.
• For reasons unknown to the Browns, Mr. Annen determined that he personally needed to enter and clear the Browns’ home even though Det. Peck informed him of the situation and had cleared the property.
• Mr. Annen’s error was not an honest mistake.
• Mr. Annen’s had no reason to enter the Brown’s home. He had already been informed by Det. Peck that he had cleared the house, did not observe any smoke, saw flames, or notice anything else out of the ordinary.
• Since the intrusion of the Brown’s home and the damage to their personal property, no one with the county or the City of American Falls has paid for the damage.

The Browns contend that no exigent circumstances existed when Acting Fire Chief Annen entered the residence because Detective Peck had already completed his investigation and communicated the results.

The lawsuit asserts claims under the Fourth Amendment and 42 U.S.C. § 1983, alleging an unreasonable search and seizure. The Browns contend that the entry into their residence occurred after the emergency had ended and therefore violated their constitutional rights.

In addition to the search-and-seizure claim, the Browns assert federal and state takings claims. They allege that the fire department’s actions constituted a taking of private property for public purposes without just compensation. The complaint seeks compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorney’s fees, injunctive relief, and a declaration that the defendants’ actions violated the United States Constitution.

Here is a copy of the complaint.