Police dog dies after Harris deputy leaves him in hot car

K-9 officers at the Harris County Sheriff's Office are mourning the loss of one of their own - a canine that died last week after being accidentally left inside a hot patrol car by its partner.

From all indications, the bomb-sniffing K-9 died from heat exhaustion, said Alan Bernstein, the sheriff's director of public affairs.

"This is a tragic accident," he said. "Our officers have a wonderful bond with these animals. The deputy is grieving, and it is a difficult time for the entire (K-9) Unit."

The deputy, a 21-year veteran of the sheriff's office, arrived home on Aug. 14 and left the dog inside his patrol car.

In the wake of the tragedy, the sheriff's office is looking into ways to prevent a similar incident from occurring, Bernstein said.

One option, he said, would be to install a key mechanism that would sound an alarm if the vehicle's car keys and the K-9 remain in close proximity after a certain period of time.

No charges have been filed and the deputy has been placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of an internal affairs investigation, Bernstein said. He has been with the K-9 Unit for 12 years.