WKYC-TV, Cleveland

MONTVILLE TOWNSHIP, Ohio — A K9 with an Ohio police department was found dead after being left in a police vehicle for more than four hours, police said.

According to the Montville Township Police Department, Beny died of heat stroke while it was left in its kennel in the back seat of the police car Sept. 28.

Sgt. Brett Harrison arrived at the police station, about 36 miles south of Cleveland, shortly before 11 a.m. and started working on paperwork for several cases, police said.

The dog, which according to WEWS-TV, Cleveland, was 2-years-old, was found lying lifeless in the compartment's kennel about 3 p.m. It was almost 79 degrees outside when the dog was found.

Harrison received a two-week unpaid suspension as well as a loss of 40 hours of vacation time, police said.

Police Chief Terry Grice said, "This is a loss that words cannot describe, and it is very difficult for everyone involved. There is no doubt that this loss will have a lasting impact on Sgt. Harrison and our entire department. Sgt. Harrison cared deeply about Beny. He worked with him 40-plus hours a week and Beny lived with Sgt. Harrison and his family when the two were off duty. Sgt. Harrison is overwhelmed with grief, and is taking this loss very hard."

Police say Harrison had not been previously disciplined. He first joined the force in 2007.