Houston K-9 Dies in Hot Patrol Vehicle After Engine Shuts Off

A Houston Police K-9 died of heat exhaustion Monday after being left in a patrol vehicle. Police say the engine was left running and the air conditioner was on when the officer walked away from the vehicle with K-9 Aron locked inside. But the engine stopped.

The Houston PD said in a statement that leaving the dog in the vehicle with the engine running and air conditioner on “is a necessary and common practice when the K-9 partner is not actively engaged in police work."

The statement continued, "When Aron's police handler returned to the vehicle, it was discovered that the engine had shut off and Aron was in distress. He was transported to an emergency veterinarian clinic but ultimately succumbed to the heat."

Houston's high temperature on Monday reached 94 degrees, ABC 13 reports.

https://abc13.com/houston-k-9-death-dog-in-hot-car-police-officers-union-doug-griffith/13378176/

HPD said an investigation and inspections of all vehicles transporting K-9s are underway.