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Police dogs die in parked vehicle Police 'devastated' by dog deaths
(about 5 hours later)
Two police dogs have died in a hot vehicle parked outside the headquarters of Nottinghamshire Police. Lessons will be learnt from the deaths of two German shepherd dogs left in a hot car, a senior Nottinghamshire police officer has said.
An RSPCA officer was called to the Sherwood Lodge headquarters in Arnold on Tuesday and found two German shepherd dogs dead. The animals were found dead in the private vehicle outside the force's headquarters in Nottingham on Tuesday.
An independent vet is carrying out post-mortem tests to establish how the animals died. An RSPCA investigation has begun and an independent vet will carry out a post-mortem examination.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said the force should investigate the deaths with the RSPCA. The force has so far declined to release any further information about the dogs or the vehicle they were in.
'Swiftly reported'
Nottinghamshire's Assistant Chief Constable, Peter Davies, said: "This is a tragic incident and we value the important work our police dogs carry out on a daily basis.
"That is why we swiftly reported this incident to the RSPCA and we will be working with them very closely."
In a statement Nottinghamshire Police said the welfare of all of its animals was "of paramount importance and we endeavour to take every measure possible to ensure their well-being and safety".
The force refused to say what kind of vehicle was involved.
The Met Office said it reached 28.1C (82.5F) in Nottingham on Tuesday.The Met Office said it reached 28.1C (82.5F) in Nottingham on Tuesday.
Nottinghamshire vet Andrew Wilson said: "Dehydration would have been a big factor. Ch Supt Ak Khan said everyone on the force's Dog Section had been devastated by the incident.
We are investigating and they are co-operating with us RSPCA spokesman 'Tragic incident'
"They wouldn't be able to cool themselves because panting wouldn't be effective anymore, there would be no evaporation from the tongue. "We will certainly take any lessons we can get from this process and make sure we put them in place so this sort of thing never happens again," he said.
"As the core temperature rose as a result of that, and the brain temperature rose, the brain would cease to function and various other organs would fail. This happens certainly within 30 minutes." "It has caused immense sadness and immense shock to everyone concerned with the dog section."
In a statement, the IPCC said: "We received a voluntary referral from Nottinghamshire Police on Tuesday and have now considered it. Earlier, Assistant Chief Constable, Peter Davies, confirmed the RSPCA was helping the force investigate the death of the dogs.
"We have decided it is appropriate for this sad incident to be returned to the police force to carry out its own local investigation. "This is a tragic incident and we value the important work our police dogs carry out on a daily basis," he said.
"We understand the RSPCA has been informed and are aware the police force is working with them to investigate." The Independent Police Complaints Commission was also informed by the force about the deaths.
An RSPCA spokesman said: "It was reported to us yesterday by Nottinghamshire Police. "We have decided it is appropriate for this sad incident to be returned to the police force to carry out its own local investigation," it said in a statement.
"We are investigating and they are co-operating with us.
"I am sure this isn't the first incident and it won't be the last."
RSPCA ADVICE FOR DOG OWNERS The first signs of heatstroke are excessive panting and droolingOther symptoms include red gums and a lack of co-ordinationOwners should douse their dog with cool waterYou should then let the dog drink small amountsWhen their breathing starts to settle take your dog to a vetRSPCA ADVICE FOR DOG OWNERS The first signs of heatstroke are excessive panting and droolingOther symptoms include red gums and a lack of co-ordinationOwners should douse their dog with cool waterYou should then let the dog drink small amountsWhen their breathing starts to settle take your dog to a vet
Nottinghamshire Police Authority chairman John Clarke said: "This is a truly tragic incident. An RSPCA spokesman said the force reported the incident to them on Tuesday and was "co-operating" with the charity in the investigation.
"I am deeply disturbed to learn of the deaths of these police dogs, which play such a vital role in the fight against crime. "I am sure this isn't the first incident and it won't be the last," he added.
"The RSPCA has been informed and will, I am sure, carry out a thorough and speedy investigation. Nottinghamshire Police Authority chairman John Clarke said: "I am deeply disturbed to learn of the deaths of these police dogs, which play such a vital role in the fight against crime.
"The authority has asked to be provided at the appropriate time with a full report into the circumstances. "We are requiring a guarantee from the force that measures are being put in place immediately to ensure that an incident like this can never happen again."
"In the meantime we are requiring a guarantee from the force that measures are being put in place immediately to ensure that an incident like this can never happen again." In June last year the Nottinghamshire force made a public appeal for German shepherd dogs to be donated to increase the number of working dogs in the force.
The Dogs Trust, the UK's largest dog welfare charity, said it was "saddened" by the news.
In June last year Nottinghamshire Police made a public appeal for German shepherd dogs to be donated to increase the number of working dogs in the force.
Training a police dog to the standard where it can go out with an officer on patrol costs an estimated £7,000 and involves a nine-week intensive course.Training a police dog to the standard where it can go out with an officer on patrol costs an estimated £7,000 and involves a nine-week intensive course.
The maximum sentence for causing unnecessary suffering to an animal is six months in prison and a £20,000 fine.The maximum sentence for causing unnecessary suffering to an animal is six months in prison and a £20,000 fine.
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The dogs would have been in distress as the temperatures climbed, vet Andrew Wilson said