A K-9 officer in Leflore County has died after being left inside of a patrol car.
A report from the Greenwood Commonwealth states that ‘Baron’, a Belgian Malinois serving in the K-9 unit of the County Sheriff’s Department, died of heat exhaustion after being left in a patrol vehicle for several hours last Tuesday.
Speaking with the publication, Sheriff Ricky Banks described the situation as a “tragic accident.”
As temperatures continue to climb, PETA reminds you that, just like a child, dogs should never be left alone in a hot car or out in the sun for a long period of time.
“This week’s scorching temperatures—expected to reach the 90s in Jackson—will put dogs at high risk of enduring heat prostration and dying, so PETA is issuing an urgent warning to anyone with a dog. Please be sure to do the following:
- Touch the pavement to ensure that it won’t burn dogs’ foot pads.
- Be alert to a long, curled-up tongue and heavy panting, as dogs cannot sweat as humans can and heat builds up inside their bodies.
- Walk only in the shade or on earth or grass, and never leave animals outdoors in extreme heat or inside vehicles.”
PETA noted that 22 dogs have been reported dead from heat-related causes across the country this year.
