Police dogs die in car during heatwave - Page 2

STONEISLAND · 02-07-2009, 15:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek S

The pay varies force by force but in the majority of places they are paid less than even the newest recruit to the 'proper' Police.

Anyway back on topic

This is terrible. I can only assume when the handler was called in on his day off he assumed it would be a 5 minute thing. Having two land sharks in the car makes me think one would be his current dog and one his retired dog.

It always happens in hot weather with people leaving dogs and children in cars. Hopefully the publicity will make people think twice about risking it so at least something positive happens from this.

Sorry, there is no excuse. There supposed to be ‘dog handlers’

@ the dog handerlers

**Derek** · 02-07-2009, 15:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by STONEISLAND

Sorry, there is no excuse. There supposed to be ‘dog handlers’

Yes they handle dogs. It doesn't exempt them from having something happen to the dogs through a mistake or error of judgement.

Similar to Firearms officers shooting someone who turns out to be unarmed, or a traffic officer who has a collision. They are well trained and professional but sometimes mistakes and accidents happen.

02-07-2009, 15:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek S

I doubt it was intentional but a misjudgement which has ended in tragic circumstances.

If that is the case I accept it is a tragic accident

---------- Post added at 15:35 ---------- Previous post was at 15:34 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek S

Yes they handle dogs. It doesn't exempt them from having something happen to the dogs through a mistake or error of judgement.

Similar to Firearms officers shooting someone who turns out to be unarmed, or a traffic officer who has a collision. They are well trained and professional but sometimes mistakes and accidents happen.

you do have to agree though sometimes recklessness is to blame its not always an "accident"

altis · 02-07-2009, 15:45

Very sad news - but slightly tempered by the irony that this happened in Arnold.

WOOF! WOOF!

Not sure if I'll get away with this one!

**Derek** · 02-07-2009, 15:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by zing

you do have to agree though sometimes recklessness is to blame its not always an "accident"

Sometimes yes recklessness or carelessness is involved more than a plain and simple tragic accident.

STONEISLAND · 02-07-2009, 15:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek S

Yes they handle dogs. It doesn't exempt them from having something happen to the dogs through a mistake or error of judgement.

Similar to Firearms officers shooting someone who turns out to be unarmed, or a traffic officer who has a collision. They are well trained and professional but sometimes mistakes and accidents happen.

Sorry I wont accept that.

As a dog handlers your one and only main responsibility is the dogs. On a scorching hot day how the hell can you forget you have your van in the car park with the dogs in the back?

You cannot compare it to fire arms shooting unarmed person as that can happen as a mistake fair enough..

But as a dog handler your main responsibility is the dogs.

Chances are he went in for a chin wag got carried away and thought shoot the dogs……….

**Derek** · 02-07-2009, 16:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by STONEISLAND

Sorry I wont accept that.

As a dog handlers your one and only main responsibility is the dogs. On a scorching hot day how the hell can you forget you have your van in the car park with the dogs in the back?
[/FONT]

Who says he forgot?

All we know so far is the officer was off-duty, went to the HQ and left his dogs in the rear of his vehicle. Some time after they died due to the heat.

The matter is being investigated so there is a good chance he will be prosecuted for it.

STONEISLAND · 02-07-2009, 16:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek S

Who says he forgot?

All we know so far is the officer was off-duty, went to the HQ and left his dogs in the rear of his vehicle. Some time after they died due to the heat.

The matter is being investigated so there is a good chance he will be prosecuted for it.

Fair enougth, and I hope they will be prosecuted!

**Maggy J** · 02-07-2009, 17:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by STONEISLAND

Sorry I wont accept that.

As a dog handlers your one and only main responsibility is the dogs. On a scorching hot day how the hell can you forget you have your van in the car park with the dogs in the back?

You cannot compare it to fire arms shooting unarmed person as that can happen as a mistake fair enough..

But as a dog handler your main responsibility is the dogs.

Chances are he went in for a chin wag got carried away and thought shoot the dogs……….

You ever been a police dog handler by any chance?

Gary L · 02-07-2009, 18:00

Disregard the fact that he's an officer (we don't have to discuss why it's either better or worse that he let the dogs die, then.)
The RSPCA says they are treating it like any other case where this happens. so as long as that doesn't change and nobody interferes, then he will be prosecuted.

**Maggy J** · 02-07-2009, 18:18

A link for those late to the story.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/n...re/8129826.stm

**Kymmy** · 02-07-2009, 20:03

Just watched tonights RSPCA: Frontline (on five) and one poor dog had died after being locked in a BMW for 5 hours

I just wish people would think... Even in winter I wouldn't leave a dog locked in a car for any length of time as that's not where a dog belongs unless it's beign transported at the time..

martyh · 02-07-2009, 20:14

This is shocking ,and deeply disturbing .You would think that a professional dog handler would know better ,they give out advice every time the sun shines about leaving animals in cars
in my opinion the max sentance of 6 months should be applied ,it was in no way an accident ,i don't doubt that he did not do it intentionally but he did leave them in his car or van on purpose ,he did have a duty of care towards the animals so imo he should be made an example of
I am not usually anti police at all and usually give them the benefit of the doubt but in this case there is no doubt ,any other proffessional person who caused the death of those in their charge would be dealt with usually with a jail term

**Derek** · 02-07-2009, 20:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by martyh

in my opinion the max sentance of 6 months should be applied

I suppose evidence isn't worthwhile, straight to pokey for 6 months regardless of the circumstances.

Quote:

Originally Posted by martyh

it was in no way an accident ,i don't doubt that he did not do it intentionally but he did leave them in his car or van on purpose

Right I'm confused, if it wasn't intentional how do you know it was in no way an accident?

I've no idea what happened but what about this for a scenario (completely made up BTW)

The Cop goes into the office to pick up a piece of paperwork, something like a citation for court, a copy of a statement or similar. He knows where it will be and he should be in and out in a minute tops so he leaves the dogs in the car.
As he is inside someone trips one of the alarms, say for example a cop being attacked by a prisoner, and he rushes off to help them and ends up restraining a violent prisoner for some time.
In the rush and confusion he is busy trying to hold down someone and forgets the dogs are still in the back. By the time the situation calms down and he remembers it is all too late.

*IF* this was the case do you still think he deserves 6 months inside?

**Kymmy** · 02-07-2009, 20:35

Anyone who has a dog with them has an obligation to look after that animal. You can't say it was an accident as that would mean that the handler didn't get back to the dogs through something totally beyond his control.. The dogs simply relied on him to take care of thier wellbeing, he has failed that trust and should at very least be investigated for that action whether he be a police officer or not..