Police dog deaths (From The Northern Echo)

Police dog deaths

10:30am Tuesday 7th July 2009 in

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HAVING been a veterinary surgeon in small animal practice in Darlington for some 30 years, I feel qualified to express an opinion on the recent death of two police dogs left in a car at Nottinghamshire Police headquarters on one of the hottest days of the year.

With the widespread knowledge of what happens to a dog when left shut in a vehicle on a hot summer’s day, this quite clearly should never have happened.

My experience is that the RSPCA would normally prosecute any member of the public who allowed this to happen, charging them with causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. It is, after all, simple common sense.

I find it staggering that this case involves a police dog handler. The RSPCA and police work, quite rightly, closely together in animal cruelty cases so I sincerely hope that it does not influence the society when a prosecution is considered.

If this individual is let off with a caution I will be extremely angry as it will show there is one law for the public and another for the police. Quite simply, of all members of society this police officer should have known better.

Peter Hill, School Aycliffe, Co Durham.

Comments(5)

David Lacey says...
12:20pm Tue 7 Jul 09

The reaction of the public to this event has been one of universal condemnation of the officer involved in the tragedy. I have only seen one comment from an imbecile who said that "they were only dogs, not children". So my first reaction was to join the throng demanding vengeance. But then I put myself in the place of the dog handler. These men are absolutely devoted to their animals and I can say with good authority that he must be devastated at the result of his carelessness. Yes - he must be punished with the full force of the law, but nothing will make him feel worse that he must feel right now. He's lost his best mates and it was his fault. Think about that.