A K-9 police dog in Trenton, Georgia, died after being left in a hot car with a malfunctioning air-conditioning unit and broken heat alarm.
The Dade County Sheriff’s Office said on Facebook that the dog, named Georgia, was left in the patrol car on Sunday while her handler was inside a DCSO building. The heat outside hit 100 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit.
The sheriff’s office didn’t say how long Georgia was left in the car.
Her handler, unnamed by the sheriff’s office, was fired, and the Dade County District Attorney’s Office will determine whether the officer will face prosecution.
“Our hearts are aching at the loss of K-9 Georgia. Many of you know that she was donated to us by a local family, at no cost to the sheriff’s office. She was an amazing bloodhound who was sweet, goofy, and had all the potential to be the ’best of the best.’ She will be deeply missed by everyone at our office,” DCSO wrote on Facebook.
The sheriff’s office also said that any patrol car with dog-specific equipment that’s not in 100% working order will be taken out of service until it’s fixed.
Also, DCSO K-9 handlers can no longer leave dogs in cars for extended periods during the summer.
