Zanesville, Ohio – A Muskingum County sheriff’s deputy is facing charges after leaving a working K9 in an unmarked patrol car, causing the dog to die from heat stroke. According to the Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office, Prosecutor Ron Welch announced he will be filing first degree misdemeanor charges against Muskingum County Sheriff Deputy Detective Wilhite.
In an Oct. 22 press release, the prosecutor explained what happened on the day K9 Cooper died:
The investigation found that Detective Wilhite left his car running, believing the air conditioner was on for Cooper. However, due to the colder temperature in the morning, Detective Wilhite accidentally had left the defogging mode on with warmer air on. He also neglected to have the portable device that monitors car temperatures for K-9’s with him.
“The loss of a K-9 officer is a terrible loss and I understand the community’s anger,” Muskingum County Prosecutor Ron Welch said. “Every K-9 handler has a duty to protect the life and wellbeing of their K-9 partner, and when that duty is neglected, even a police officer must be held accountable under the law.”
Adding:
“No one feels worse about this tragedy than Detective Wilhite himself,” Welch said. “Detective Wilhite fully cooperated with the investigation, admitted his mistakes, and has taken full responsibility for his actions so far. While a handful of people online have called for felony charges against him, that would be highly inappropriate considering both the evidence and Ohio law.”
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