A police dog died after she was left in a hot patrol car by her handler in western Arkansas, officials said.

Madison County Sheriff Phillip Morgan said the dog, named Lina, died Friday. The sheriff said the dog's handler was placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation.

The 5-year-old dog had been with the sheriff's office for three years, and the sheriff said the animal was used in drug investigations.

Morgan described the dog's death as a "bad accident." He said the investigation into the dog's death is being handled by the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

Last month, a police dog in Stephens County, Oklahoma, died after being left for 38 hours in a hot car and its handler was charged with animal cruelty.