K9 dog left in running car dies of heat exaustion while human partner moonlights at 2nd job

[RamboLiberal]

A New Castle police officer was moonlighting at a security job while his K-9 partner sat unattended in a cruiser for nearly four hours, dying of heat stroke, the police chief said on Thursday.

The officer, whom police would not identify, was suspended without pay and faces likely departmental discipline and possible criminal charges, Chief Thomas Sansone said after a memorial service for Chico, the 6-year-old Dutch shepherd. The officer left the dog in the car with the air conditioning running, Sansone said, but the air shut down after an extended period.

"Basically, he relied on the mechanics of the car to be OK," Sansone said. "I would say at this point there probably will be some kind of discipline."

Lawrence County District Attorney Joshua Lamancusa said his office is conducting a criminal investigation. Under state law, a person can be charged with crimes ranging from a summary citation to a felony for abusing a police dog.

Read more: New Castle K-9 takes symbolic last ride - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/regional/s_741407.html#ixzz1OuSaHe00

Poor Chico! Hope this jerk never works as a cop again!

[Shagbark Hickory]

1. Life w/o paroll. nt

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. What a dreadfully stupid thing to do!

My heart goes out to the suffering dog...

[JVS]

3. Leaving a car idling for 4 hours? Was he on duty but working another job at the same time?

Moonlighting usually implies taking another job after hours.

[RamboLiberal]

8. He was working as a security officer - got through FOP

Left the dog in running car at station while he took 2nd car (probably his private vehicle). Not a rich community so besides poor Chico think of the gallons of gas this jerk was wasting!

[JVS]

16. But if he was off duty, why not leave the dog at the station?

[RamboLiberal]

17. Station probably doesn't have a kennel

Should've taken dog home to kennel first.

[Horse with no Name]

4. My first thought was that whatever the penalty for a citizen to kill a police dog should apply

because these dogs are highly skilled and trained officers in their own right.

What a horrible tragedy this is.

However, the man left the car running. He TRIED to do the right thing.

Perhaps if we didn't have republicans destroying our unions and our way of life, our public servants wouldn't have to be moonlighting.

I'd feel okay that this man didn't do this on purpose and feels pretty damned bad about it.

Some kind of reprimand is in order--but I hope it isn't too severe.

[joeybee12]

5. He was off duty as a cop and technically was using the cruiser still...

This guy is dumb as a post...I would be happy to get someone like him off the streets.

[Horse with no Name]

7. In my area, our law enforcement are allowed to use their vehicle privately

the thought is that the presence of the car on the streets is a deterrence to crime.

I'm sure this must be the case in this instance.

[joeybee12]

9. Well, the article doesn't mention that he's trouble for that, so it could

be in this case...although most government employees would get hell for something like that.

[RamboLiberal]

11. No story is he left dog in cruiser at station while he left in another vehicle

From OP story.


The officer reported to a side detail for the Lawrence County Housing Authority, which contracts for security through the Fraternal Order of Police, at 4 p.m. that day. He left Chico in the cruiser outside the police station, and then drove another vehicle to a housing development.

Read more: New Castle K-9 takes symbolic last ride - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/regional/s_741407.html#ixzz1OuXhjk3m

[hamsterjill]

6. Humans are just so very stupid sometimes!

Throw the book at the guy! And I mourn for the dog.

That said, it is heart-warming to me to see the response by other police officers giving respect to this K-9 hero. At least they didn't respond with an "it's just a dog" attitude.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

10. Yikes. I sometimes leave my pooch in the truck with the air running.

But the thought of such a malfunction haunts me so I never will leave her for more than a few minutes. I think my pilot training always makes me think of an "out" for worse case scenarios in the event of malfunction.

Last year, during a terrible hot day, I had to run in to a drug store to pick up a prescription for a sick friend. It was over 100 degrees here in Chicago and I had my pup with me. On my way out, I noticed a woman looking upset talking to a manager. They headed out about the same time as me so I kinda new what was up. When I got to the truck, the lady laid in to me for leaving the dog in the car on such a hot day. After I explained to her the truck was running with the air on she was much relieved. She explained to me that she runs a dog rescue so she pays attention to those things. I gave her a hug, apologized for alarming her and went on my way.

Cars stall and AC breaks down. This is a reminder.

[RamboLiberal]

13. Good story & even if the system in this car had lowered the windows

as it was supposed to the dog still may have died if it stayed in the car.

BTW, had a retired co-worker like the animal rescue person in your story who would confront people and call the cops. Good for them.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

21. I've called the cops once but the driver showed up. My co-worker gave the lady a rash of shit.

We were close to busting a window.

[jberryhill]

14. What was the backup to someone driving off with the car?

[Hassin Bin Sober]

20. That's crossed my mind also.

I lock the doors so they would have to bust a window. That and the snarling maniac my very protective 50 pound Shar-Pei mix becomes when left in the truck alone. She's scared more than a few unsuspecting shoppers who have walked past the window. :)

[jberryhill]

22. Oh, duh, I forgot about the dog

[Hassin Bin Sober]

29. Dog thieves DO cross my mind.

Someone after a dog for fighting purposes might take the risk. And THAT scares me. Someone looking for a joy ride probably would steer clear.

[aquart]

12. Fool.

[KG]

15. 'I would say at this point there probably will be some kind of discipline.'

how about immediately terminating his employment?

[Liberal_in_LA]

18. who leaves a car running for 4 hours

[Dappleganger]

25. The same dummies who leave living creatures in cars alone.

Last time a thread like this was posted I was called all sorts of names for defending completely helpless pets who have no choice but to sit with their owners put them.

Don't leave your animal in a car, period. Take them with you. If you can't then run them home or take along a friend who can sit and watch them. Shit happens.

[glinda]

19. Fire and jail the idiot.

[dembotoz]

23. around here k-9 are kind of considered as officers

this copper is in for a bucket of shit.

[Brother Buzz]

30. Kind of?

It's not uncommon for the dogs to be issued their own police badges and IDs.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

24. he made a mistake. my god people are acting on this thread

like he is a terrible person. he prob needs a second job, cos the first doesnt pay well. most people dont like to get second jobs. he did leave the ac on, showing that he clearly thought of the comfort of the dog

sheesh

[EFerrari]

26. Someone who leaves his car running for four hours without a second thought

probably shouldn't be driving, let alone, own a dog.

[RamboLiberal]

27. What about the taxpayers of New Castle?

Who pay for 4 hours of gas not to mention the expense of this dog so this guy could work that job. He's probably not well paid. A lot of the cops in these smaller cities/towns barely make above minimum wage - but still he has to schedule to take the dog home before going to 2nd job.

He had responsibility to take care of his partner. Chico would've risked his life for his human partner.

[Dawson Leery]

28. Coppers are above the law.

Chances are they will find that the parasite "did nothing wrong". :puke: