Post by WaTcHeR on May 25, 2006 14:10:59 GMT -5
05.25.2006 - COLUMBIA, S.C. - A Richland County sheriff's deputy will not face criminal charges in the death of his police dog earlier this month, the sheriff's department said.
But Deputy John Paul Baker will be removed from the K-9 unit, the department said Wednesday.
Baker had been suspended without pay after a 17-month-old German shepherd, Atilla, died in Baker's patrol car while he observed other handlers during a drug detection training exercise. The dog, which had been with the K-9 unit for several weeks, was unresponsive when Baker returned to the car.
Lexington County prosecutor Dayton Riddle reviewed an investigation by the South Carolina Humane Society and both agreed Baker should not be charged.
Baker has been a dedicated police dog handler, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said. "Deputy Baker must now live with the knowledge that he caused the death of his partner."
Patrol cars used by K-9 officers are equipped with devices that roll down windows and sound a siren when the temperature in the car exceeds 85 degrees. The devices were not activated in Baker's car.
The department is implementing polices to require the use of the equipment, the sheriff's department said.
But Deputy John Paul Baker will be removed from the K-9 unit, the department said Wednesday.
Baker had been suspended without pay after a 17-month-old German shepherd, Atilla, died in Baker's patrol car while he observed other handlers during a drug detection training exercise. The dog, which had been with the K-9 unit for several weeks, was unresponsive when Baker returned to the car.
Lexington County prosecutor Dayton Riddle reviewed an investigation by the South Carolina Humane Society and both agreed Baker should not be charged.
Baker has been a dedicated police dog handler, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said. "Deputy Baker must now live with the knowledge that he caused the death of his partner."
Patrol cars used by K-9 officers are equipped with devices that roll down windows and sound a siren when the temperature in the car exceeds 85 degrees. The devices were not activated in Baker's car.
The department is implementing polices to require the use of the equipment, the sheriff's department said.