This quote from MSN News just makes me want to pound this man’s skull:
“I am certain Sgt. Lovejoy has suffered greatly from leaving his police dog in a sweltering car,” Sheriff Joe Arpaio said in a statement. “I do not relish the idea of compounding his sadness. However, Lovejoy must be treated like anyone else in similar circumstances.”
For twelve hours, while he ran errands, ate, etc. a police officer left his dog in his car in 109 degree heat. This man, more than anyone else, should have known what would happen to his dog. This bastard shouldn’t have been at all surprised when he came back to his car he found the poor animal dead. He was the caretaker of a police dog. Don’t you think that at some time during his training with the animal someone might have mentioned that you don’t leave your dog in the car, ever. Especially not on a hot day.
Don’t tell me he’s suffering. Lock him in his car for twelve hours on a 109 degree day. Let his skin fry, his brain cook, his blood boil.
What really makes me angry is that since this is being treated as a misdemeanor, and the fact this man is a policeman, he’ll probably get no more than a slap on the wrist. More than any average citizen, this officer of the law should have known what he was doing to his dog. Officers that train dogs to perform tasks in a law capacity have a special relationship with their dogs. It is considered by many of these officers that their dogs are as much their partners as if they had human counterparts as partners. The officer watches the dog’s back and the dog watches his partner’s back. This dog trusted in his partner to care for him and to keep him from harm.
I really think he deserves much more than a slap on the wrist. He should be reassigned to a different department and should not be allowed to have another dog, either in business or personal. Maybe this officer should work with the animal patrol department and get it through his thick skull just how stupid and cruel he was.
what an ass monkey.
I agree – leave him in a care in this heat. Let him see what he did first hand.
Cas
Even one hour would’ve seemed really bad, but 12? That’s beyond terrible…
Wow, I thought most K9 cops had an extra set of keys so they could leave the air on in the car if they have to get out of it. I agree, he shouldn’t get another dog
I couldn’t believe this story when I first read it. The police officers in our department (I’m a volunteer) think of their dogs as a partner and the idea of not putting your partner first does not happen.
You are right, this man should never be allowed around another dog. He hasn’t suffered enough until he has gone what the dog went through.
I cannot imagine leaving my dog in the car like that. I don’t even take mine for rides if I know she’ll have to be alone in the car at all. This is just disgusting.