Police Dog Dies Of Heat Stroke After Officer Leaves Him Inside Police Car
A police dog in Cleveland died last week after an officer left him inside a cruiser. The dog, Beny, died from an apparent heat stroke. In a statement on Tuesday, Chief Terry Grice said Sgt. Brett Harrison was suspended for two weeks without pay for violating department policy and procedures.
Forty vacation hours were also taken from the officer.
[su_center_ad]According to Cleveland.com, the K-9 was found dead inside a police cruiser at 3:13 p.m. on Sept. 28th, police said. The cruiser was parked outside the police department at the time.
“This is a loss that words cannot describe, and it is very difficult for everyone involved,” Grice said. “There is no doubt that this loss will have a lasting impact on Sgt. Harrison and our entire department. Sgt. Harrison cared deeply about Beny. He worked with him 40-plus hours a week and Beny lived with Sgt. Harrison and his family when the two were off duty. Sgt. Harrison is overwhelmed with grief, and is taking this loss very hard.”
Beny’s lifeless body was found in his kennel as a result of injuries consistent with heat stroke, police said.
Harrison admitted to not leaving the windows open while the cruiser was turned off.
At the time Harrison arrived at the police department it was 69 degrees, and it was 79 degrees when the dog was discovered.
Cleveland.com reports, “Harrison has never been disciplined since being hired Sept. 11, 2007, Grice said. He previously served 10 years in the Air National Guard, where he was deployed to Qatar during Operation Enduring Freedom.”
“While we work through this tragedy, the Montville Police Department remains committed to continuing our K-9 program,” Grice said. “We are committed to protecting our community through the use of police K-9s. We are also committed to reviewing training and equipment options that are available to improve the safety conditions for the K-9.”
Rest in peace, Beny. [su_csky_ad]
Skydog2 October 8th, 2014 at 9:05 am
Hopefully this was a situation of ignorance and not neglect.
Carla Akins October 8th, 2014 at 9:52 am
I am not comforted by the fact that an officer would be ignorant of leaving a living being in a locked up car can have this result.
Skydog2 October 8th, 2014 at 10:49 am
Fortunately it wasn’t a person.
I have a friend who forgot to drop his son off at daycare on his way to work, the kid slept in the backseat for 1-2 hours until my friend’s wife called him. It was in the summer but a cool morning so no harm was done.
Carla Akins October 8th, 2014 at 12:10 pm
It is a very scary thing. And I fully understand “there but the grace”
Maxx44 October 8th, 2014 at 9:11 am
How hard is it to learn that a closed car in the sun is like an oven?
Ausador October 8th, 2014 at 9:26 am
K-9 patrol units should be equipped with a window or roof venting system to lower the interior temperature when the unit is idle. Solar powered fan window vents only cost about $43.00 each…
tracey marie October 8th, 2014 at 1:47 pm
either take the dog out of the car or leave it running
Abby Normal October 8th, 2014 at 10:07 am
This happened in Montville Township, Ohio, a community of about 5,000 people. Harrison left the dog in the car for 4 hours while he worked on paper work inside the police headquarters. Why didn’t he take the dog inside with him? There is no conceivable excuse, none. The man is an irresponsible idiot and should never again be entrusted with the care of any animal. I certainly hope he doesn’t have children.
Anomaly 100 October 8th, 2014 at 10:43 am
I’m so sorry about your BFF pet. Animals are vulnerable innocent creatures that show more loyalty than many humans do.
tracey marie October 8th, 2014 at 1:46 pm
I am sorry for your loss, it is hard when we lose a fur baby
allison1050 October 8th, 2014 at 10:12 am
That’s all? Just a rip?
uzza October 8th, 2014 at 10:21 am
If that’s how he treats someone he “cared deeply about”, I wonder how he treats a stranger in his custody.