Off-duty Jefferson County K-9 bites child, father after jumping fence

DENVER (KDVR) — An off-duty K-9 with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office bit a child and their father on Sunday.

According to the sheriff’s office, the Aug. 11 incident began at about 4 p.m. when the K-9 handler, Zachary Oliver, and dog, Ragnar, were at their Castle Rock residence. The K-9 escaped an outdoor enclosure, jumped a 5-foot fence between the handler’s backyard and a neighboring yard, and bit a child.

The child’s father attempted to intervene and was also bitten. When Oliver became aware of the dog’s escape, he controlled the K-9, according to the Jefferson County agency.

The child and father were injured by the bites and transported to a local hospital. They are both recovering at home.

“We are devastated by this incident and are fully committed to supporting the family during their recovery,” the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said in a release.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said Oliver has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of investigations by the agency in addition to the Castle Rock Police Department.

Additionally, K-9 Ragnar has been placed under a mandatory 10-day quarantine, during which time the dog is prevented from interacting with anyone other than the handler and other animals. The sheriff’s office is also reviewing the future of the K-9 as an active member of the unit.

Oliver previously handled K-9 Graffit, who was killed in a shooting in February 2023.

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