What is going on with the K-9 Units? Were they always this “forgetful” or are we just paying more attention now?
Thanks to AZCentral.com for this article.
Ga. police dog also dies after being left in patrol car
Associated Press
Sept. 7, 2007ACWORTH, Ga. – Authorities are investigating the death of a K-9 unit police dog who apparently died of heat stroke after being left inside a patrol car.
The dog died Monday after its handler got distracted while switching electronic equipment from one patrol car to another, Acworth Police spokesman Capt. Wayne Dennard said.
The officer, a 13-year veteran of the department, was called inside the police station and returned to the patrol car later to find the dog dead. Dennard said he did not know how long the dog was in the car.
Police did not release the name of the officer, a lieutenant who had worked with one other dog in his 10 years as a dog handler.
The police dog was a 6-year-old Belgian Malinois named Marco. The dog was trained to detect narcotics and track missing people.
The officer has been placed on paid leave while police investigate the death.
“He is grieving,” Dennard said.
The officer had not been charged and the investigation will determine what happened, Dennard said.
