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Report: Police Dog Tore Up Car Before Dying From Heat

LA/SPCA Condemns K-9's Death

POSTED: 4:34 pm CDT July 21, 2009
UPDATED: 6:55 pm CDT July 21, 2009







NEW ORLEANS -- A New Orleans police dog that was left in a locked car tore the inside of the police cruiser to shreds before collapsing and dying of heat exhaustion, according to the Metropolitan Crime Commission.

Primo, a Belgian Malinois, died on May 27. The crime commission released photos of the inside of the police car on Tuesday.The necropsy report for Primo showed that the dog's body temperature was 109.8 degrees once he got to the hospital.Investigators said Primo had been locked inside the car with the windows rolled up. By the time the dog got to an animal hospital, it was too late. He suffered three seizures and died, the report says.

New Orleans police are conducting an administrative investigation into Primo's death. But the district attorney is being asked to turn it into a criminal probe after the Metropolitan Crime Commission demanded further investigation.

Primo and another dog named Bo were inducted into the NOPD K-9 unit in 2004. A woman raised $11,000 to purchase the canines.New Orleans police representatives said there are safety measures in place on police vehicles in case the vehicle shuts off. It's not clear whether those measures were used on the vehicle with Primo.The Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals called the animal's death a crime that could have been prevented.

"It's shocking that these deaths would be occurring because of the close relationship between the dog and police that has typified the New Orleans Police Department K9 unit in the past," said Ana Zorrilla, CEO of the LA/SPCA. "This is a crime of cruelty to animals that could have and should have been prevented. The Louisiana SPCA actively supports the New Orleans Police Department and Metropolitan Crime Commission's investigations into these dogs' deaths."

Report: Police Dog Tore Up Car Before Dying From Heat - New Orleans News Story - WDSU New Orleans

[Eugen80]

Oh my God... that poor dog... I can't imagine what was running through his mind before he died.... the one that he loved, protected, trusted, left him in that car to suffer seizures and die... Criminal charges is the nicest thing I can say I hope he gets at this point.

[Scukonah]

Criminal charges is the nicest thing I can say I hope he gets at this point.

[Beedcardabeme]

I don't understand how something like that can happen. Where was the handler? My APBT occasionally gets together with a Black Lab police dog to play at a local park and I immediately thought of him.

[GogaMegaPis]

I just don't get why people have to leave their dogs in their cars when it's so hot outside...

if I leave my dog in the car it's to go get a pack of sigarettes...
I would NEVER leave him more than 5mins in the car when it's cool enough outside, and when it's hot he stays at home. is it that difficould?

[freeringtonesioo]

Most police K-9 cars at least have a Hot-N-Pop system if not some type of Heat Alarm that turns the car and airconditioner/heater on.
When the temp goes lower or higher than the tepm set on the unit the officer recieves a page. If the temp continues up or down the sirens and horn go on or the door pops open.
I dont get why the dog had to die like that. Its so very wrong.

[mikelangr]

OMG, thats horrible, that poor poor dog.

[SarkisPioute]

I wouldn't say that I've ever met a kind and caring NOPD officer. Not than a few don't exist, but rather that I've never met one nor heard of one.

And as for the handler, I hope he's charged to the fullest extent of the law. Freakin' selfish bastard.

[Eugen80]

I know when we go to the grocery store after Bella's class, I have sat in the car with her for over an hour, with the car running, while someone else went inside to get groceries. We live so far out of town, that we usually make one trip count, and I have never complained about having to sit in the car with her. She watches people go in and out of the store, and I usually nap. I won't even leave her or Mollie in the car during the winter to go inside the store, I'm afraid someone will try to steal them. They are never left alone in the car, even when it's cool/cold outside. I just won't risk it.

[RjkVwPcV]

I do leave my dog in the truck occasionally but I always leave it running with the AC cranked and even then its never more then 10 minutes.

[drycleden]

Stan and I went to this restaurant, and when we were leaving, we noticed the Escalade next to our truck was running. We looking inside and there are a huge Mastiff just stretch out in the back. lol. We were happy they made sure to leave the AC on for the dog, but geez, they must have been loaded. lol.

[exschke]

did the police car not have AC? poor puppy!! stupid cop!

[Âåðåùàãèí]

did the police car not have AC? poor puppy!! stupid cop!

well I'm sure it did,police cars usually have a system that will turn the air on or off depending on the temp inside the car.Probably a malfunction with the equipment.

[EnubreBense]

First England, now this?! Come on! Who in their right mind is gonna leave a dog in a locked car with the windows up in the summer? Especially a K-9 cop. Who is training these guys? How can you be so stupid? Even if it was some sort of mechanical malfunction you just don't leave a dog in a closed car by itself. That cop is in deep shit.

[Casyimipist]

update

http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2...iley_defe.html

[kuklame]

How disturbing.