A tragic incident unfolded in Colorado when a retired police K-9 named Draco fatally attacked the 3-year-old daughter of Burlington Police Chief Nathan Hill. The child, whose identity has not been disclosed, was discovered unresponsive in the yard of the family’s home, according to the Kit Carson County Sheriff’s Office. The circumstances leading up to the attack remain unclear, with an ongoing investigation underway.
Draco, a German shepherd, was a single-purpose narcotics detection K-9 for the Cheyenne County Sheriff’s Office. At the time of the incident, the dog was non-active, having recently been retired from duty. Despite his training for detection, Draco was not trained for patrol work or apprehension, making the attack highly uncharacteristic, according to Kit Carson Sheriff Travis Beldon.
The Burlington Police Department expressed deep sorrow over the incident. In a statement, they extended their condolences to Chief Nate Hill, his wife, and their family for the loss of their young daughter. The police chief was not at home during the time of the attack.
Following the incident, emergency medical personnel rushed the child to the hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. Draco was taken to the Burlington dog pound and subsequently euthanized.
Draco had been used as recently as June 19 for a traffic stop to detect controlled substances, according to a press statement from the Cheyenne County Sheriff’s Office. The K-9 program in Cheyenne County was recently discontinued, leading to Draco’s donation to the Burlington Police Department. At the time of the attack, Chief Hill was keeping the dog at his home.
The tragic incident has left the community in shock and mourning, as they grapple with the unexpected loss of a young life. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack continues, with hopes of providing some clarity and closure for the grieving family.