Family Dog Fatally Shot by Loveland Police Leads to Landmark $675K Civil Rights Settlement

LOVELAND, Colorado — The City of Loveland has agreed to pay 675,000 dollars to settle a federal civil rights lawsuit after a police officer shot and killed a family's young dog nearly seven years ago. The historic settlement, finalized on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, marks the largest payout of its kind in Colorado history involving the law enforcement shooting of a domestic pet.

The legal battle stems from a June 29, 2019 encounter in an empty commercial parking lot. Local business owners Wendy Love and Jay Hamm had pulled their truck over to perform quick maintenance on a container and provide water for their three dogs. A nearby property owner contacted authorities to report potential trespassing, prompting a response from Loveland Police Officer Matthew Grashorn.

Body camera footage of the incident shows Officer Grashorn exiting his patrol vehicle as two of the couple's dogs move toward him. While one dog immediately retreated when called by its owners, a 14-month-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Boxer mix named Herkimer continued to trot toward the officer. Within seconds, Grashorn drew his service weapon and fired twice, striking the puppy in the head and torso. Herkimer was left paralyzed by the gunfire and was humanely euthanized four days later due to severe spinal injuries.

The sudden shooting sparked immediate outrage at the scene, with the distraught owners demanding answers from the officer. The federal lawsuit, filed by prominent civil rights attorney Sarah Schielke of the Life and Liberty Law Office, argued that the shooting constituted an unreasonable seizure under the Fourth Amendment. The plaintiffs maintained that Herkimer was exhibiting friendly, non-aggressive behavior, bounding toward the officer with his tail wagging, and that the officer could have easily retreated into his car or utilized less-lethal force like a Taser.

The case gained significant legal traction when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit denied qualified immunity to Officer Grashorn, ruling that a jury could conclude the dog did not pose an imminent threat. The judicial decision established an important legal precedent across the region, reinforcing that law enforcement officers cannot use deadly force against a domestic animal without an active, demonstrable danger.

In addition to the financial compensation, the settlement forces sweeping operational reforms within the Loveland Police Department. Local authorities have agreed to comprehensively update their dog encounter protocols. All active Loveland officers will now be mandated to undergo specialized canine interaction and de-escalation training every three years to prevent future tragedies.

Attorney Sarah Schielke emphasized that the legal battle was always focused on systemic reform rather than financial gain. Schielke stated that Herkimer had to die for Loveland to change, and that never should have been the price. However, she noted that because of the puppy and the bravery of his owners in fighting the case, the community is structurally safer for local pets, cementing Herkimer's lasting legacy.

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