Two constables forced a Munhall woman to stand outside her house, naked in handcuffs, on a 6-year-old warrant for failing to license her dog and related charges, the woman claims in a federal lawsuit filed Monday against the constables and Allegheny County.

The county has failed to train and supervise the constables, the lawsuit says.

County spokeswoman Amie Downs declined comment.

County and court officials have said that constables are independent contractors not directly supervised by any agency.

Jayla Smith says in the lawsuit that her mother paid the dog-related citations in 2009, and she no longer had the dog, but that that didn't stop Christian Constantini, 27, of Hazelwood from punching her in the chest while she stood at her doorway wrapped in a towel because she had just gotten out of the shower.

Constantini pulled her outside, slammed her into the wall of the house and to the ground, causing her to lose her towel, then handcuffed her, the lawsuit says. Michael Lowman, 46, of Mt. Washington eventually intervened but should have prevented the assault, the lawsuit says.

Constantini declined comment. Lowman couldn't be reached for comment.

In October, the constables showed up at Smith's door again, claiming they had warrants for unpaid parking tickets. Smith told them she had paid the tickets, but they demanded she pay their constable fees, the lawsuit says.

In a separate case, the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office has charged the two constables with simple assault, reckless endangerment, official oppression and conspiracy for handcuffing Esther Peyton, 52, and dragging her out of her house by her feet in October for two unpaid parking violations.

Brian Bowling is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-325-4301 or bbowling@tribweb.com.

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