Police dog, alone in SUV, dies - probe launched

Police dog, alone in SUV, dies - probe launched
Henry K. Lee, Chronicle Staff Writer

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

(05-27) 14:56 PDT ALAMEDA --

An Alameda police K-9 officer is under investigation after his dog died when he left it in his personal SUV for several hours during a training session, authorities said today.

The officer, whose name was not released, left the 6 1/2-year-old Belgian Malinois inside his sport utility vehicle while attending a use-of-force training exercise May 5 on Lincoln Avenue, police Lt. Bill Scott said.

The SUV had at least one window down for ventilation, Scott said. It also was not an unusually warm day - according to the National Weather Service, the high temperature May 5 at nearby Oakland International Airport was 70 degrees.

But when the officer returned to his vehicle after about three hours and 15 minutes, he found his dog "in distress," Scott said.

The dog wasn't breathing and didn't have a heartbeat when it was taken to Bay Area Veterinary Specialists in San Leandro, where it was declared dead. The cause is under investigation.

more...
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/05/27/BASS17S4TL.DTL&tsp=1


:cry:

...nice to know we have idiots on the police force.

it was reportedly 70 degrees and the window was down. there is no autopsy concluding that it was a heat issue.

so why do you ASSUME there was wrongdoing?

just because an animal dies while seated in a car does not necessarily equal heat related issues.

if the story is accurate (70 deg & window open)...
:shrug:

Were two windows down?

70 degrees is ok if you're not inside a dark vehicle. And you have to open two windows to allow for cross ventilation. If he left one window down 4 inches, well that would not be enough.

Possibly the dog was already sick and being in this vehicle made it worse. But I would think these dogs are well taken care of and in peak condition.

Even with an open window, a car parked in the sun will heat up to far hotter than 70. That poor dog!

you don't leave people in vehicles. period. end of discussion!! that poor dog. i think it's the worst thing when the animal or child can't even get out.

window was down, you just don't leave your best friend ANYWHERE alone for 3 hours and 15 minutes. At the very least, this cop should be fired.

people who aren't prejudiced and/or prone to jumping to unsupported conclusions don't ASSUME facts not in evidence.

it was reportedly 70 degrees and the window was reportedly down. you have NO idea how hot it was in the car.

until there is a necropsy (is that what they call animal autopsies? i think) and some sort of CONCLUSION that it WAS due to heat, i call foul for assumption w/o evidence.

this is his partner who died, anyone who thinks he isnt devasted dosent know the link between K9 cops and their dogs.

he could have left at least midway through to check on the dog.

Clearly he isn't cut out for taking care of a canine partner.

:eyes: