Dad and child bitten by police dog after it jumped fence into their yard, CO cops say

A police dog escaped his owner’s yard and bit two people, Colorado officials said.

The off-duty K-9 was in his outdoor enclosure at his handler’s Castle Rock home on Aug. 11 when he escaped, according to a news release by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

The dog jumped over a 5-foot fence and into the neighbor’s yard, officials said.

The dog bit a child in the yard and then bit the child’s father when he tried to help, deputies said.

Once the handler figured out what was happening, he gained control of the dog, officials said.

The dad and his child were sent to the hospital and are now recovering at home, deputies said.

The handler was placed on paid leave while the situation is investigated by the sheriff’s office, officers said.

The dog is in a 10-day quarantine where he isn’t allowed contact with any animal or human besides his handler, deputies said.

The Sheriff’s Office will determine if the K-9 will return to the unit, officers said.

Castle Rock is about 30-mile drive southeast of Denver.

This story was originally published August 14, 2024 at 5:03 PM with the headline "Dad and child bitten by police dog after it jumped fence into their yard, CO cops say."