Heatstroke dogs cops spent £300k on kennels

July 02, 2009

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TRIBUTES Wreaths have been laid to the dead dogs

THE police force at the centre of a row after two of its highly-trained dogs died from heatstroke in a car had recently spent £300,000 on new kennels.

The German Shepherds were found dead in a private car which had been left in the main car park at Nottinghamshire Police's headquarters in Arnold on Tuesday afternoon.

Handler

Their police handler, who was on duty, had gone inside sometime before the dogs were found dead.

The handler, who has not been suspended and is now at home on leave, could be prosecuted, the force confirmed.

Shaded

It emerged that the car park, which is shaded in parts, is only yards away from the force's new kennels.

They were recently built at a cost of £300,000 and have tiled floors and state-of-the-art heaters for the winter.

'Mortified'

Councillor John Clarke, chairman of Nottinghamshire Police Authority, said: "I think there will be some retribution for this at some point in the future.

"But I know the team will be mortified. It's a very close-knit team.

"It's tragic when you consider we have spent hundreds of thousands of pounds on kennels. Unfortunately tragedies do happen."

Angry

The force also revealed that it had received several calls from members of the public angry at what had happened.

It now has 24 dogs and 35 staff in the section, which is used to trace drugs, police major events and track down criminals on the run.

Although Nottinghamshire Police now has its own dog breeding programme, it is thought that the German Shepherds had been donated by a breeder for public service.

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Pippa, Manchester (02/07/2009 at 17:36)

As far as I am concerned the dog handler should be at the very least removed from that position - he/she obviously has no idea about animal welfare - as well as being duly prosecuted. On another note, I do wonder why people are leaving flowers. Utterly pointless, they'd be far better donating the cash used to an animal rescue charity.

john davis (02/07/2009 at 17:48)

Sack the cope involved, he or she is pathetic, lets hope the RSPCA prosecute and that the officer is forced to resign or be sacked. One would have though a police officer is above average intelligent, clearly not the case here.

Barney Gumball LLB Hons (02/07/2009 at 18:04)

Let's hope that the matter has been reported to the RSPCA for investigation. There's no excuses for leaving a dog or any other animal in any vehicle in this sort of weather. I suggest that the Officer responsible is not suitable for working in the Dog Section (if at all in any Section of the Police)

PW, Manchester (02/07/2009 at 19:45)

This is horrendous. What if these were two toddlers forgotten about while the guardian went about some business? A disgrace!!

Supreme Being, Manchester. (02/07/2009 at 20:29)

This is terrible, the fact that the police are involved is somewhat shocking and normally they are far more aware of overheating with animals than the average person.
Saddened for the animals, but I also feel for the handler.

city col, prestwich (02/07/2009 at 21:59)

Lets hope the law they enforce is used to the full against the poeple responsible for this terrible incident

sparkie, Salford (02/07/2009 at 22:00)

I do hope this will not be a case of one rule for them and another for us. These dogs were not pets they were police officers and should have been treated with the same kind of respect any officer would demand.

I hope that whoever is responsible has the book thrown at them. They should be locked in a car with no ventilation in the sun and see how well they fare or not as the case may be.

EBYGUM, MANCHESTER (02/07/2009 at 22:06)

this is just neglect, by people that should know better, the cost of training the dogs, is not important.
why was the dogs left in the first place, why was he away for so long, in a threat situation, the dog protects his handler, but in this case the handler, has let his partners down, animals, forgive anything,
they trust the owner, you hear of abuse to animals, they go to the r.s.p.c.a. then find new owners,
then love again, i am sure the handler will never forgive himself, if he was a proper bloke he would resign, if not he should be kicked out, with an order imposed that he should not be allowed to keep any animal, for life, maybe fined, maybe jailed.

sugar n spice, manchester (03/07/2009 at 00:10)

this is a disgusting thing to have been allowed to happen anybody knows you should not leave any dog inside a car in hot weather. the cop that has done this should be charged with animal cruelty and should NEVER work with any animal again in fact he should lose his job. there is no excuse for this and if it was a member of the public that had done this then they would be prosecuted so we cannot have one rule for the public and another for the police which often seems the case.

The Man on Bury Bridge (03/07/2009 at 11:23)

It was reported on teletext last evening that "a senior officer from the Nottinghamshire Force has said 'Lessons will be learnt' ".

That makes it okay then, does it?

Sack the officer responsible if he/she doesn't resign, and sack every public service person who says 'Lessons will be learnt'. I'm sure, like me, that the public are sick of hearing this stupid remark from spokespersons every time a public servant gets something disasterously wrong.

Ace , manchester (03/07/2009 at 15:37)

This "So called Dog handler"Needs procecuting and even a small sentence for his total disreguard for the safety and well being of his dogs.He like others who are cruel to animals through neglect need serious charges against them.These animals rely on humans to keep them in good health they are totally reliant on humans.

Andanotherthing, Mcr (03/07/2009 at 15:48)

This is horrendous. What if these were two toddlers forgotten about while the guardian went about some business? A disgrace!!
PW, Manchester

Spot on. Police dogs used to live with their handlers at home. No way would this have happened then, now the dog is equiptment.

The Higher Openshaw Exile, MANCHESTER (03/07/2009 at 15:50)

Damage any of the equipment you need to do your job, on purpose or through neglect constitutes Gross Industrial Misconduct and deserves instant dismissal. Do not pass go, do not collect £200 go straight to prison. He or she should also lose all pensions and any other benefits that they might be entitled to.

treblewinner (03/07/2009 at 18:34)

if this was ordinary joe, he would be brought to justice. These people aren't above the law so therefore should be prosecuted as the public would be.

riz (03/07/2009 at 22:44)

he/she should of known better.if he would of seen any other dog or dogs in anyones car or van,i am sure he would of smashed the window though,AND made sure the owner got prosecuted.

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