$300,000 Settlement for Officer Mauled by Police K-9 During Demonstration

On April 1, 2022, Santa Fe Police Officer Damian Vigil was called on by superiors to play the role of a suspect during a K-9 demonstration at police headquarters. He was issued a protective jacket and pants but no helmet or face guard. His supervisors told him the dog, K-9 Ayke, was trained not to bite above the shoulder.

The demonstration went wrong quickly. Ayke, a German shepherd that had been with the department since 2020, disregarded his handler's commands, pulled Vigil to the ground, and clamped onto his face. The injuries were severe enough that Vigil had to be airlifted to a hospital in Colorado for plastic surgery.

Vigil filed suit against the City of Santa Fe, alleging personal injury damages arising from the attack. His complaint described being pressured and intimidated into participating and said he was not afforded the protective gear that would have been standard for the role. He maintained he was never a willing volunteer in any meaningful sense.

Atty. Adrian Vega of Buckingham and Vega Law Firm represented Vigil through the litigation and the mediation process that produced a settlement. In December 2025, the city agreed to pay $300,000, covering all claims arising from the incident. The city will also pay Vigil's share of mediator fees. Future medical expenses connected to the injuries are to be handled through the city's workers' compensation fund. Vigil signed the agreement, and the deal was set for final approval by Santa Fe's Governing Body on December 10, 2025.

The attack had a policy consequence for the department as well. After the incident, the Santa Fe Police Department revised its K-9 training protocols to require formal training and certification for anyone who acts as a decoy during police dog demonstrations.

Vega called the outcome fair to his client: 'This settlement is a just resolution for Officer Vigil and ensures that his voice was heard.'