Two police dogs have died in a hot vehicle parked outside the headquarters of Nottinghamshire Police. An RSPCA officer was called to the Sherwood Lodge headquarters in Arnold on Tuesday and found two German shepherd dogs dead.

An independent vet is carrying out post-mortem tests to establish how the animals died. The incident has been voluntarily referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

Nottinghamshire's Assistant Chief Constable, Peter Davies, said: "This is a tragic incident and we value the important work our police dogs carry out on a daily basis. "That is why we swiftly reported this incident to the RSPCA and we will be working with them very closely."

In a statement Nottinghamshire Police said the welfare of all of its animals was "of paramount importance and we endeavour to take every measure possible to ensure their well-being and safety". The force refused to say what kind of vehicle was involved.

Nottinghamshire vet Andrew Wilson said: "Dehydration would have been a big factor. "They wouldn't be able to cool themselves because panting wouldn't be effective anymore, there would be no evaporation from the tongue. "As the core temperature rose as a result of that, and the brain temperature rose, the brain would cease to function and various other organs would fail. This happens certainly within 30 minutes."

A spokesman for the IPCC said the "matter had been referred to them on Tuesday afternoon and they were considering it".

An RSPCA spokesman said: "It was reported to us yesterday by Nottinghamshire Police. "We are investigating and they are co-operating with us. "I am sure this isn't the first incident and it won't be the last."

Chairman of the Nottinghamshire Police Authority, John Clarke, said: "This is a truly tragic incident. I am deeply disturbed to learn of the deaths of these police dogs, which play such a vital role in the fight against crime.

"The RSPCA has been informed and will, I am sure, carry out a thorough and speedy investigation. The authority has asked to be provided at the appropriate time with a full report into the circumstances."

"In the meantime we are requiring a guarantee from the force that measures are being put in place immediately to ensure that an incident like this can never happen again."

In June last year Nottinghamshire Police made a public appeal for German Shepherd dogs to be donated to increase the number of working dogs in the force. Training a police dog to the standard where it can go out with an officer on patrol costs an estimated £7,000 and involves a nine-week intensive course.

The maximum sentence for causing unnecessary suffering to an animal is six months in prison and a £20,000 fine.

Hopefully they will get it, utterly irresponsible behaviour from a professional.

I think they should be banned from keeping dogs and made to pay the full cost of retraining replacement dogs and 6 months in prison
But it will probably be a slap on the wrist and back to work on Monday
Having said all that I am struggling to keep Suzzie cool she is now 15years old panting like a steam train her nose is dry ears and head feel very hot. Yesterday the outside temperature was 32 degrees I thought I was going to lose her. I sat her in the car with air conditioning going, forced some water down her neck using a syringe within half hour she was back to drinking by herself.
So if anybody has suggestions for keeping her cool let me know as at the moment I am frightened to go out

Very sad indeed, Makes you want to lock the handler in the car with a coat on and see how long he lasts!!
I agree that he should be banned for owning dogs and he certainly shouldn't be allowed to remain a handler for the police.

Looking at getting one for Max but decided daily trips to the beach and hosing off was better for the moment.

Hear is a petition for this if any one wants to sign justice has to be done.
mel xx
http://www.gopetition.co.uk/online/29094.html

Absolutely disgraceful and should never have happened. Like everything else to do with this system, it will get swept under the mat in a few weeks. Karen

FURTHER COMMENTS ADDED TO PETITION >>

PLEASE DO NOT cover this up. An individual citizen would no doubt be prosecuted. In this case it seems the handler was "off duty" so should be treated as a civilian. He should never be allowed to have charge of any dog again. These poor dogs will have suffered a great deal with no means of escape, and will have been crying for the 'handler' to come and release them - because they trusted him. How could he not care? Don't let him say this was a "mistake". He should take his deserved punishment!

I so agree procky it upsets me to even think what those dogs sufferd, can you imagine in there little minds shouting help and no one come. :-(
mel xx

I posted my thoughts on the petition site and on here, instinctively. To be honest, I 'filled up' when I read back over what I had said. It is so upsetting. I despise this so called "handler"...

I hope it is not covered up. For a professional person to "forget" about his dogs who are also his colleagues is inexcuseable.

I saw it on TV last night, two officer's were laying flowers on their grave's, as if that makes it ok. It just sickens me to the stomach . It's like a few year's back, when part of police dog training at a certain branch, was to be tied to a tree and severely kick in the abdomen, to make them more aggressive. Which ended up with some dogs dying through ruptured spleens and kidney failure. Karen

This is so sad, someone has sent this that had been posted on another forum, they either hate GSD or there partner son or daughter is a copper, this is what they said:

A warning about signing that petition.... I have been advised that it contains at least 8 bugs [viruses/trojan horses] so I would advise against sogning it, if you do..... sign at your peril. IMO it's a bit pointless actually doing a petition, as it won't do any good or affect any result.

they can not even spell right


I contacted a friend who works for mac and he sent me this reply just in case there was some truth in the bugs.


Dear Mel
I have done an analysis on the petition you have sent me and to my knowledge I cannot find any virus or anti trojens
in this link.

All the best Richard

Some people are so nasty i hope they rot in hell
mel xx

If, as you say, they posted the so called warning on a forum ..... then the forum admin will know their name / email / and IP address. So can be easily traced.

Thankyou everyone, I have just 1 minute ago reached 2200 signatures on my petition and am so touched everyone has made the effort to sign and pass on.

I have contacted Notts police by email several times and been ignored so far but this time i cc'd the Sun newspaper into the email I sent them with my petition results so we shall see if they get in contact now!
Anyone else want their emial address to write and badger them feel free to let me know and I shall post it haha!!
Thanks again for your support everyone

Laura
xxx
http://www.gopetition.co.uk/petitions/p ... -dogs.html