A pending civil case against the Santa Fe Police Department is raising questions about a police dog that's bitten people eight times in recent years and how the dog and its handler were trained.

The lawsuit was brought by Santa Fe police Officer Damian Vigil, who was bitten on the left side of his face by a German shepherd named Ayke during a training session more than three years ago.

Vigil had been instructed to put on a "bite suit" and act as a decoy suspect in order for Ayke's handler, Officer Alejandro Arroyo, to demonstrate the dog's abilities.

Vigil underwent months of surgeries following the incident — including plastic surgery — to reconstruct the left side of his face.

As a result of that attack, the agency has made policy changes barring uncertified officers and other staff

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