SANTA FE, N.M. — As a puppy, Ayke had high hopes for helping revive the Santa Fe Police Department’s K-9 program. Now, four years later, the German Shepherd is in the doghouse.
He has bitten more people than any other dog in the department’s K-9 unit and is the subject of an internal investigation into a March attack on one of the department’s own officers. The city is also defending itself against a lawsuit filed by an officer who underwent plastic surgery after being attacked during a 2022 Santa Fe New Mexican training exercise. reported.
Police Chief Paul Joye declined a newspaper request for an interview and the investigation into the latest incident involving Ayke is one of four dogs used by the department.
Like other law enforcement agencies across the country, the Santa Fe Police Department claims K-9 units can be useful in detecting illegal drugs or explosive materials or apprehending suspects.
Several states considered this earlier this year bills that would impose stiffer penalties for harming or killing police dogs, with supporters noting that thousands of dollars are spent on training and that in many cases the animals are like family to their handlers.
Still, injuries caused by the animals have made headlines Ohio, Utah and elsewhere in recent years.
The Marshall Project noted in 2020 that while there was no national database for tracking the use of K-9s, an investigation found that bites were documented in almost every state. The nonprofit also noted that excessive force lawsuits over dog bites are difficult to win because police officers are often shielded from liability and federal civil rights laws typically do not provide coverage for bystanders who are accidentally bitten.
Ayke is still working in Santa Fe. Deputy Police Chief Ben Valdez wrote in an email that the department is confident the dog does not pose a danger to the public.
In response to a question about the potential downsides of using the dogs, Valdez responded, “Police K-9s are a valuable asset to our community, when used properly there are no downsides.”
Police purchased each of the animals for about $4,400 and paid $2,200 for their initial certification course, Valdez said. The department spends about $4,800 annually on dog food and another $2,000 on veterinary care.
The department requires K-9 units to complete a minimum of 320 hours of training per year and that handlers undergo physical and psychological wellness testing. The police dogs are certified by the Arizona-based National Police Canine Association.
Any bite from a police dog must be documented, per Santa Fe policy. These cases are reviewed to determine if policies were followed and if corrective action is needed for the handler, Valdez said.