Laurel police officer killed

[Ande']

This past week WDAM reported that Laurel K-9 officer Taz was killed when left in the patrol car and the AC failed. In the report they stressed that the dog was only left briefly in the car. How long can an animal survive in a car with no AC, only minutes - half and hour? Should the officer in charge of the dog be punished in any way? I kind of feel like if someone found out my dog had died in my car, I would be in trouble. It is sad when something like this happens to an animal, it can't protect itself.

[Ande']

Thanks for the correction, most of the time i don't get to hear the news (kids). I am sure it is very upsetting for the department on many levels. Personnal and financial. I hope not to take anything away from their grief. My husband and I just looked at each other and after saying how awful it was, our next thought was what would have happened if it had been us and our pet.

[Ande']

Oh, is there anyway to change the title of the thread so it is accurate?

[Conveyor Belt]

If you were to kill this K9 in the line of duty, what would the punishment be? Does it carry the same weight as killing a human officer? If so, shouldn't the punishment for accidentally killing the K9 be the same as accidentally killing a human? Just because a police officer did it doesn't make the animal any less dead. I realize it was a mistake, but kids die every year from similar mistakes and their parents are charged with neglect and/or manslaughter. I know PETA would be all over this if it were some regular person.

[IGID]

The Officer left the dog in the car with the AC running as they normally do. The AC failed without the Officers knowledge and within minutes, the dog was dead. Yes, a K-9 on duty is considered a Police Officer.

[Joelaw]

there are many times when an officer has to leave his/her dog in the car b/c it would be a bad idea to bring it along.

1. around people who are loud ( it tends to make the dog excited)
2. around a child who might poke or pull on the dog
3. at someones home when your taking a report
4. around someone who is afraid of dogs ( again the dog can pick up on this and become excited)
5. at most normal traffic stops ( dont want to have to watch the dog and the person/persons in the car at the same time)
the list goes on and on....