A heartbreaking event occurred in Colorado when a retired police K-9, Draco, fatally assaulted the 3-year-old daughter of Burlington Police Chief Nathan Hill. The young girl, whose name has been kept confidential, was found lifeless in the yard of her family’s residence, as reported by the Kit Carson County Sheriff’s Office. The details surrounding the incident are still uncertain, with an active investigation in progress.
Draco, a German shepherd, was previously a narcotics detection K-9 for the Cheyenne County Sheriff’s Office. At the time of the incident, Draco was no longer in active service, having recently retired. Despite his specialized training in narcotics detection, Draco was not trained for patrol or apprehension duties, making the attack highly unusual, according to Kit Carson Sheriff Travis Beldon.
The Burlington Police Department expressed profound grief over the tragic event. They extended their heartfelt condolences to Chief Nate Hill, his wife, and their family for the devastating loss of their young daughter. The police chief was not present at home during the time of the attack.
Following the incident, emergency medical personnel swiftly transported the child to the hospital, where she was later declared deceased. Draco was taken to the Burlington dog pound and was subsequently euthanized.
Draco’s most recent service was on June 19, where he was used in 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 transfer to the Burlington Police Department. At the time of the attack, Chief Hill was housing the dog at his residence.
The tragic incident has left the community in shock and mourning, struggling to come to terms with the sudden 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.