Pitt County, North Carolina – The Pitt County Sheriff’s Office has released the findings of an investigation into the death of K9 Chilli, a bomb-detection dog who died in June. According to the investigation, the dog was forgotten in the rear seat of her handler’s assigned vehicle on June 11.
In the released investigative report, Sheriff Paula Dance said the loss of K-9 Chilli has been one of the most difficult events the Sheriff’s Office has ever experienced.
On the day of the deadly incident, Chilli was with her handler in Rocky Mount for explosives detection training. After training, the pair returned to the Pitt County Sheriff’s Office around noon. It was at this point that Chilli was forgotten in the rear seat of the vehicle. At 4 p.m., her handler returned to the car and discovered that she was still inside.
Video footage shows Chilli’s handler immediately seeking help from fellow deputies and reporting the incident to supervisors.
An Internal Affairs investigation was started on June 12. After the completion of the investigation, it was determined that Chilli’s death was not intentional and her handler did not try to cover up what happened. Because of the findings, criminal charges are not supported.

Rest in peace Chilli.
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23 Comments
DOES THE OFFICER LEAVE HIS CHILDREN IN HOT CARS TOO? HOW COULD YOU FORGET THE MOST IMPORTANT OFFICER AND ALSO PARTNER IN THE BACK OF YOUR HOT FUCKING CAR AND JUST FORGET HIM. OMG. MAYBE THE OFFICER HAS A MENTAL ILLNESS AND EARLY ONSET OF ALZHEIMERS. FORGETTING SOMETHING SO IMPORTANT IS JUST AN EXCUSE TO SOMETHING MORE SINISTER THAT IS IN THE BRAIN OF THIS PSYCHOPATH OFFICER.
This is so wrong! That poor dog sitting & waiting to be free from a hot car! Absolutely no excuse. “I forgot my dog in the car!? WTF!!
Whether the handler “intended” to leave Chili in the car or not, it was still neglect that resulted in Chili’s death. The handler is still responsible and should still face repercussions for Chili’s death– at the very least, termination of employment. This person is not responsible enough to have the safety and welfare of the community in their hands.
Whether or not this was intentional; it should not have happened. This handler caused an innocent dog’s death and should be held accountable. Instead he/she goes free to enjoy the rest of their lives while the poor dog’s life was cut short due to this person’s negligence. Just another case where the animal pays with their life because of a person’s incompetence. As always; there seems to be no punishment for crimes against animals.
Sorry, if you can forget your K9 partner in the car, your mind isn’t clear enough to be a Police Officer.
Fire the dog murderer !
Rest easy, Chilli, you served well.
I’ve Ieft a coupIe other remarks in here, but I just came across this today. It is a perfect exampIe of the media pIaying innocent (they know the truth – I have deaIt with them often )
This is from KATU , Channel 7 news
LINCOLN CITY, Ore. (KATU) — “A man is facing animal abuse charges after being accused of repeatedly slamming a German shepherd dog to the ground about 20 times as a “training method,” court records and reports from the Lincoln City Police Department state.
“Nicholas Mumma was booked into the Lincoln County Jail on two counts of second-degree animal abuse on Tuesday.”
HERE’S THE TRUTH: This technique is a routine part of “training” K9s. That is where the creepy guy got the idea! He is either ex-K9 handIer, or a K9 associated ‘wannabe.’ And so much more! Not a peep from the newsroom about that fact!
It is almost impossible to forget you have your Dog still in the car not matter what unless your an Imbecile . Its totally stupid if this happens and the person responsible should be fired. No Excuse.
My Ionger comment has apparentIy been bIocked’
So here is the short version.
W A K E U P ! ! ! !
This is NEVER one bad appIe. Abuse, negIect, and disrespect for these dogs by their handIers is the ruIe!
WTFU !!!
how do u just “forget” ur dog in the hot car? irresponsible! u killed this hard working, dedicated dog. it doesn’t matter where or what u are doing. u deserve horrible consequences. here u are suppose to help others. wow
HTF do you “forget” your K9 companion???? This is despicable. Her handler SHOULD BE FIRED AND CHARGED in Chilli’s horrendous death.
It is not acceptable that Chili was left in the car. The officer should be relieved if their duties.
That officer needs to be fired. If a death occurred at ANY job as a result of employee Negligence — that’s an auto termination.
And what about Negligence causing Death?? That’s a criminal offence. It’s still unintentional homicide caused by NEGLECT.
That poor sweet dog. Can you imagine the torture of dying like that. Hours of overheating?!
This is just heartbreaking. Poor Chili 🙏🏼💜
Don’t let him have another dog!
Ridiculous. How do you forget a dog or a child in a car? The handler doesn’t deserve another animal. Especially when your job is to take care of the dog officer. When are these people going to be punished for this? It will keep happening if no punishment is doled out.
Totally agree. I don’t believe ANY excuse when people say they “forgot” about an animal or child left in a vehicle. If this female officer is so self-absorbed, then she should never have been allowed in the dog program in the first place. Of course she didn’t try to cover it up……people would notice she no longer had the bomb-detection dog anywhere, it’s not exactly something you could easily cover up. That she wasn’t charged with anything just because she reported it right away doesn’t excuse her behavior and is a definite travesty of justice for Chilli.
How in the hell do you “forget” you have a dog in your vehicle?!?!?
How many stupid cops have to kill their dog by leaving it in a hot car before these people are jailed for animal abuse? Dozens every year!!!
Yes you are so Correct:
How many stupid cops have to kill their dog by leaving it in a hot car before these people are jailed for animal abuse? Dozens every year!!!
You should see what they do to them when they’re not Ieaving them to die of heat prostration.
HandIers kiII, by various means, more K9s than any suspects or enemies. You are being Iied to by the departments, the K9 handIers,, and the media .
The officer should be relieved of duty because of his neglect, a K-9 died. Sure, he doesn’t feel responsible but he is imho. He should never have the responsibility of an animal again. Just how in the hell do you forget your partner???
Fully agree. Definitely shouldn’t be allowed to have another dog to handle.
It’s aII of them!!!! It’s systemic, taught and required to abuse and have zero respect for these dogs or any concern for their suffering,
I’ve been trying to teII everybody of 45 years. Tens of thousands of communications at Ieast
Oh pIease, pIease, wake up!