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Sunday, August 02, 2015

4 POLICE DOGS DIED IN HOT CARS/ POLICE EXEMPT FROM CHARGES

The ASPCA reports that it takes a car just 10 minutes of sitting in 85 degree weather to break 100 degrees inside – and that’s true even with “the windows cracked.” Since dogs cannot sweat or cool themselves in the way humans can, they can experience heat stroke in that environment within just 15 minutes.

The fact that police officers kill so many unarmed Americans suddenly seems less surprising once you realize how many cops are responsible for killing their own partners. In the past month or so alone, four police dogs have diedafter being left in the back of a cop car on a hot day. While these fatalities seem to be the result of negligence rather than maliciousness, something must be done to prevent more hardworking police dogs from suffering a similar fate.

Care2 has a new petitionaiming to put a stop to these tragedies. Before signing, catch up on the heartbreakingstories of these four fallen canine heroes:

Mason: This 3-year-old Alabama pooch died after being accidentally left in the back of a hot police car on June 18. Though police cars in Alabama that carry most police dogs are equipped with life-saving technology to prevent such an accident, since Mason was employed for communityoutreach rather than “enforcement,” he did not ride in such cars.

Nitro: In late June, another 3-year-old dog, Nitro, inStockton, Calif., died in a hot car while his handler was participating in a civilian arrest. The air conditioner in the K9 patrol car is supposed to automatically run in hot conditions, but – for unknown reasons – this backup system did not go into effect. The police department is checking other K9 cars to ensure a similar mishap doesn’t occur again.

Baston– This 7-year-old German shepherd died in the back of his handler’s car, where he was left in 90 degree weather for at least three hours in early July. By the time the Rincon,Ga., officer remembered the dog was still in the car, Bastonwas dead.

Zane– In mid-July, a Conyers, Ga., officer made a similar mistake leaving the 5-year-old bloodhound Zane in the back of a car for over 10 hours. The officer made attempts to revive the dog upon discovering his mistake to no avail.

Sadly, this is not a recent phenomenon. Last summer, The Washington Post reported on multiple police dogs that suffered a similar fate. These devastating incidents are extra upsetting when you realize that while the average American can be prosecuted for this form of animal abuse, officers who leave dogs in their cars are never charged with a crime.


Since two police dogs have died in this manner in Georgia in July, the Care2 petition focuses on that state to make a quick change. As People Magazine points out, there are nolaws in the state forbidding officers from leaving dogs in the back of cars. Jeff Schettler, the CEO at the Georgia K9 National Training Center argues that not allowing dogs to stay in a car would hinder the police officers’ jobs. “If there are going to be laws, it should be more about safety equipment for heat injuries for the dogs, not necessarily that dogs cannot be kept in their cars,” Schettler said.

Okay, let’s go with that then. Either Georgia police need to spend the money to install technology that prevents cars from overheating while dogs are inside. If police budgets are too tight to accommodate for these updates, then police dogs should not be allowed to remain in vehicles.

There’s a good chance Georgia will respond to this petition, too. Earlier this year, 116,000 Care2 members rallied behind a Georgia veteran who broke a car window to save a trapped dog. Though laws don’t permit Georgians to break windows to save dogs as they can children, the petition helped convince the District Attorney to drop charges against the veteran.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yeah and cops care about their dogs. They're tools. The first thing in and to be hurt in situations. But they cry when something happens to them.

lmclain said...

TWO sets of laws.
If "we, the people'" say, "oh I'm SO sorry! I loved that dog and just forgot he was in the car...", the police say "too bad".
The police kill a dog the same way, with the same excuse, and NOTHING happens.
Now, tell me there AREN'T "two sets of laws"....one for them and one for the serfs.
Keep cheering, you mindless, brainless, brainwashed cheerleaders.

Anonymous said...

At least it wasn't Cecil the lion.

Anonymous said...

This is exactly why I was so upset when I posted the incident about the dog in the truck at Best Buy last Saturday. He was in the car for 50 MINUTES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and the owner and animal control acted like I was making it to much of a big deal. The next time I see it happen, I will just break the windows and then it will be a BIG DEAL !

Anonymous said...

Figures. People are charged daily with this crime, but when it comes to Cops they get a pass. Shouldn't they also be charged as if they hurt a police officer? If I were to kick a police dog that was biting me, I would be charged with assault.

Anonymous said...

Ya see, the 'kill' mentality of cops extends even to their own. What a sick bunch of pukes.

Anonymous said...

Big difference in the dog dying due to equipment failure while the officer was busy doing something work related. Leaving the dog unattended in a car for several hours is inexcusable and they should be held liable. Just FYI I'm pretty sure each department prob did something to punish these officers in cars of neglect maybe not enough to suit Imlame but they got some sorry of punishment.

Giovanni Jones, LEO

Anonymous said...

12:08
They should have gotten the SAME punishment anyone else would have gotten had they harmed a K-9. Why do the police think they are above the law and can do as they wish?

Anonymous said...

Equipment failure? Ac just dosent stop working. Cops leave their cars on and you know damn well the had their fat asses in the Ac before they got out. I see one failure at best. The rest are straight up neglect. I understand your lame. But don't be stupid.

Anonymous said...

If I did that to a police dog I would be charged with killing an officer of the law. I'm sure there was some excuse as every time the cops are wrong they can always explain it away.

Anonymous said...


Police dogs lives matter!

lmclain said...

Did the ruth hit too close to the bone, jonesie-boy??
Two sets of laws.
Killing a police dog, by neglect or otherwise, is a JAIL/PRISON term for "we, the people".
Why wouldn't it be the same for a citizen who happens to have a "I can do anything I want" badge?
Wait. Hold on.
I think I just answered my own question.
Get back on patrol for those dangerous and terroristic seat belt violators, boy.
Leave the thinking to people who can do it correctly.

Anonymous said...

Laws should be changed so that people
have the right to break into a car when
they see a dog inside with temps over 70 deg.
I would definitely break the glass---arrest
or no arrest!!

These cops except the one, should have been
charged with animal cruelty!!! Plus they should
have to pay the Police Dept. the Thousands of dollars it
cost WE TAXPAYERS to buy & have the dog trained.

I cannot for the life of me imagine FORGETTING my dog
was locked in a hot car !!!!! That Cop must be a real
Peace of Work!!! We should b able to lock him in one!!!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for posting this Joe. Along with the
showing of "Yes, there are 2 sets of Laws --one
for Average Joe Citizen & 1 for the Police, it
also lets people Know how quickly an animal can
die----because they can't sweat, & at what temps.
The Vet said it's a horrible death for them!

Anonymous said...

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Police dogs lives matter!


July 30, 2015 at 2:21 PM

You win the internet today, pat yourself on the back a few times.


this is no big deal to officers, but if an average citizen were to harm a K-9 we would be charged for it. Just because you enforce the law, it does not make you above it.

Anonymous said...

the total above the law police mindset continues WHAT A JOKE

Anonymous said...

This so funny, stupid dogs, and people are crying.

Anonymous said...

Couple hours it seems for some. Smdh. How any cop can forget that long. And cops don't do drugs.