Loveland Police Sued After Officer Shoots Puppy

Editor's warning: The bodycam video of this shooting is graphic.

LOVELAND, CO — A Colorado couple is suing the Loveland Police Department and the city after a police officer shot their young dog in 2019. The 14-month-old puppy later had to be euthanized, according to the suit.

Wendy Love and her husband, Jay Hamm, parked in an empty lot so their dogs — Bubba, Max and Herkimer — could stretch their legs and not bother anyone, according to the complaint.

The owner of the building then called police to check on the parking lot and see what the couple was up to, the suit states.

Loveland police officer Mat Grashorn pulled up in his patrol vehicle and got out without announcing himself, the complaint shows.

Two of the dogs ran towards the officer, and he yelled at the couple to call them back, a bodycam video shows. One dog ran back to the couple, but 14-month-old Herkimer bounded towards the officer, who pulled out his gun and fired shots at the puppy.

Herkimer fell to the ground and Love began crying and asking the officer why he shot her dog, the video shows.

"Because he's coming after me like he's going to bite me," the officer said.

Love kept asking the officer if she could take Herkimer to a veterinarian, but Grashorn told them they needed to wait until his supervisor arrived, the video shows.

The puppy — a boxer and Staffordshire terrier mix — had to be euthanized four days later.

"Herkimer was a sweet, loving, playful dog," the complaint read. "He was beloved by his family. He was a good boy."

"Herkimer had no history of biting or otherwise being dangerous to humans. He was known to be affectionate and friendly with both people and other dogs."

The Loveland Police Department reviewed the bodycam video and found that Grashorn responded appropriately, according to the suit. He remains on the police force.

“Body-worn camera footage captured that day is difficult to watch, and we deeply empathize with the family over the untimely loss of their dog,” said Steve Adams, Loveland city manager, in a statement. “We have pledged to increase accountability and transparency for our community – including any opportunity to seek clarity into specific events. In accordance with police department policies and this pledge, the City intends to launch an additional independent investigation into the incident.

“We recognize the need for transparency and accountability in City processes and intend to pursue a fair and complete investigation into all the facts,” Adams said.

The Loveland Police Department "understands the public’s concerns and the emotions this video elicits," the city said in a news release. "The use of deadly force against a person or an animal is taken with the utmost seriousness."