2 Bexar Co. K-9s die after being left in hot patrol car

[ShepherdTX]

According to a statement from the sheriff's office, the dogs were "inadvertently" left inside the vehicle overnight and died from apparent heat exposure.

The deputy responsible, identified as Deputy Steve Benoy, has been placed on administrative leave as the Animal Care Services and the BCSO investigate the incident. He was described as a 23-year veteran who has been assigned to the K-9 unit for 13 years of his career with the BCSO.

http://www.kvue.com/news/state/163887116.html

Article and associated news clip doesn't mention what breed they were, but as a German Shepherd owner, this hit me pretty hard.

[AEA]

Terrible, just terrible.

He should be put in the same conditions for a considerably longer period of time.

[RPBrown]

I think he should face cruelty charges.

If it were you or I and they were seen in a hot car, you can bet we would be facing charges.

[The Annoyed Man]

Oh this is just awful.

[Kythas]

I'm gonna go hug my dogs for a minute.

[AEA]

I hug mine multiple times all day long. And She gets a kiss all during the day and especially every night at bedtime.

[cbucher]

He does need to be charged for this. I wonder if he has done this before in his 13 year career.

[Carry-a-Kimber]

He should be charged under PC 38.151 (b)(7).

[C-dub]

He does need to be charged for this. I wonder if he has done this before in his 13 year career.

I doubt he's done it before.

Negligent Homicide anyone? I'll bet he's not charged and probably doesn't even lose his badge.

[flb_78]

Silly question, but if you or I were to have killed the 2 K-9s, would we would be charged for killing two officers?

[Carry-a-Kimber]

Silly question, but if you or I were to have killed the 2 K-9s, would we would be charged for killing two officers?

See my post.

[C-dub]

Silly question, but if you or I were to have killed the 2 K-9s, would we would be charged for killing two officers?

See my post.

I think it should be PC 38.151 (b)(6) since the two officers did die. Although, punishment wise, it wouldn't make any difference.

(b) A person commits an offense if the person recklessly:
(1) taunts, torments, or strikes a police service
animal;
(2) throws an object or substance at a police service
animal;
(3) interferes with or obstructs a police service
animal or interferes with or obstructs the handler or rider of a
police service animal in a manner that:
(A) inhibits or restricts the handler's or
rider's control of the animal; or
(B) deprives the handler or rider of control of
the animal;
(4) releases a police service animal from its area of
control;
(5) enters the area of control of a police service
animal without the effective consent of the handler or rider,
including placing food or any other object or substance into that
area;
(6) injures or kills a police service animal; or
(7) engages in conduct likely to injure or kill a
police service animal, including administering or setting a poison,
trap, or any other object or substance.

(5) a felony of the third degree if the person commits
an offense under Subsection (b)(6) or (7) by killing a police
service animal or by engaging in conduct likely to kill the animal.

[puma guy]

I'll wait to hear the facts before I pass any judgement because I know K-9 handlers grow very attached to their dogs and the officer/s must be hurting. But............Bexar Co killed a K-9 in June 2010 in a similar manner. Supposedly there were to be temperature monitors installed in K-9 units, but I could find no dispostion for the officer involved nor information that the monitors were indeed put in place. I don't know if procedures were changed to prevent this either.
This is a horrible way for a dog (or any animal) to die. Dogs have a very limited ability to control temperature with vigorous panting leading to thickened saliva,then mucous and collapse and spasming until they are just baked. Apparently no lessons learned by the Bexar Co SO.

[gigag04]

Our canine vehicles don't get shut off while the dogs are inside.

Most agencies have moved to Belgian Malinois...not sure if they have or not, but the coats are the same.

As upset as we are that the dog died, we couldn't be half as mad at the handler as he likely is with himself.

Terrible mistake.

[Carry-a-Kimber]

Our canine vehicles don't get shut off while the dogs are inside.

Most agencies have moved to Belgian Malinois...not sure if they have or not, but the coats are the same.

As upset as we are that the dog died, we couldn't be half as mad at the handler as he likely is with himself.

Terrible mistake.

He can be as mad at himself as he wants, I suggest he does it in a jail cell.