A family in Castle Rock, Colorado, reports they have incurred $300,000 in medical debt following an attack by a neighbor's police K-9 two years ago. The incident occurred on August 11, 2024, during a second birthday party for twins Lily and Ollie Dean. The dog, which belonged to then-Jefferson County Sheriff’s Deputy Zachary Oliver, reportedly scaled a fence and attacked two-year-old Lily, causing injuries to her leg and abdomen.
Nick Dean, the girl's father, sustained injuries to his chest, neck, back, and hip while attempting to intervene and pull the dog away from his daughter. According to a GoFundMe page established by the family, Lily suffered a punctured femur and lacerations, while Mr. Dean continues to experience chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The neighbor eventually regained control of the animal, and both victims were transported to the hospital for treatment.
Legal proceedings following the event did not result in a conviction for the dog's owner. The 23rd District Attorney filed criminal charges against Oliver, but a jury found him not guilty last year. Defense attorneys argued that a contract Oliver had with Jefferson County provided him with immunity. Oliver subsequently resigned from the sheriff's office, and the K-9 involved is no longer in service with the department.
The Dean family stated they expected Jefferson County to assist with the $300,000 in medical costs after the criminal trial concluded. However, a lawyer for Jefferson County informed the family's attorney via email that the county does not use taxpayer funds to pay claims for which there is no legal liability. As of Monday, a public fundraiser for the family has raised approximately $63,000 toward their debt.
An ordinary resident in this district would notice the financial and legal distinction between a police officer's official duties and their responsibilities as a private pet owner. While the handler was a county employee and the dog was a working K-9, the court's finding of no criminal liability means the family must navigate private insurance and fundraising rather than receiving government compensation. This situation illustrates the significant financial burden that medical emergencies can place on households when third-party liability is not legally established.
The next steps for the family remain focused on debt recovery through their GoFundMe campaign. With the criminal trial completed and the county officially declining payment, any further pursuit of funds would likely require separate civil litigation, though no such filing was detailed in current reports. The former deputy has since moved out of the neighborhood, and the K-9 is no longer active with the sheriff's office.