PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office K-9 detention dog died this month after its handler found it in distress at Estrella Jail, according to a statement released by the agency.
The sheriff’s office has declined to provide details about how the dog died, calling the matter an active investigation.
What MCSO has said
According to a statement from the sheriff’s office, around 7:15 p.m. on June 18, a K-9 detention deputy at Estrella Jail found their K-9 in distress.
The temperature outside was 102 degrees at the time. Several handlers performed emergency first aid, but the dog was dead by the time it arrived at an emergency veterinary clinic.
MCSO declined to answer follow-up questions and has not released the K-9’s name or its handler. It is not clear whether the dog was left in a vehicle, whether the handler could face charges, or whether an outside agency is involved in the investigation.
Contrast with agency’s public stance on animal abuse
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office has publicly and repeatedly positioned itself as a leader in animal cruelty enforcement. Sheriff Jerry Sheridan has stated the office will not tolerate animal abuse “in any way, shape, or form.”
“Let me be perfectly clear, if you are abusing animals in Maricopa County, I will use every avenue of this office to ensure justice for these animals who cannot speak for themselves,” Sheridan said in an MCSO Instagram post.
The agency’s Animal Crimes Investigations Unit is described by MCSO as an award-winning model for other law enforcement agencies. Its MASH Unit program allows supervised inmates to care for the thousands of animals seized from neglectful owners.
Advocacy group calls for transparency
Staci Goveia, founder of the national nonprofit Protecting K9 Heroes, said the public has a right to know what happened.
Goveia said she is aware of at least five other heat-related K-9 deaths across the country so far this year.
“They trust you. A dog cannot scream and tell you that they’re dying in the car,” Goveia said. “You wouldn’t leave your child in your car for any amount of extended time. Why would you leave your partner? These are sworn in officers.”
Goveia added that K-9s are expected to be protected by their handlers.
“When we think about these K-9s and how they would sacrifice their life, and a lot of them have, for their handlers — I think the expectation is that the handler does everything they can to make sure their K9s are safe,” she said.
Investigation ongoing
Maricopa County has four K-9 detention officers, according to MCSO. Officials with the Arizona Law Enforcement K9 Association said they were unaware of the dog’s death until Arizona’s Family contacted them.
MCSO has not said whether an outside agency is conducting an independent review.
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