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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Police dogs die in parked vehicle | Police dogs die in parked vehicle |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| Two police dogs have died in a hot vehicle parked outside the headquarters of Nottinghamshire Police. | Two police dogs have died in a hot vehicle parked outside the headquarters of Nottinghamshire Police. |
| An RSPCA officer was called to the Sherwood Lodge headquarters in Arnold on Tuesday and found two German shepherd dogs dead. | An RSPCA officer was called to the Sherwood Lodge headquarters in Arnold on Tuesday and found two German shepherd dogs dead. |
| An independent vet is carrying out post-mortem tests to establish how the animals died. | An independent vet is carrying out post-mortem tests to establish how the animals died. |
| The incident has been voluntarily referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC). | The incident has been voluntarily referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC). |
| 'Swiftly reported' | '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. | 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." | "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". | 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 force refused to say what kind of vehicle was involved. |
| Nottinghamshire vet Andrew Wilson said: "Dehydration would have been a big factor. | Nottinghamshire vet Andrew Wilson said: "Dehydration would have been a big factor. |
| We are investigating and they are co-operating with us RSPCA spokesman | We are investigating and they are co-operating with us RSPCA spokesman |
| "They wouldn't be able to cool themselves because panting wouldn't be effective anymore, there would be no evaporation from the tongue. | "They wouldn't be able to cool themselves because panting wouldn't be effective anymore, there would be no evaporation from the tongue. |
| "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." | "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." |
| A spokesman for the IPCC said the "matter had been referred to them on Tuesday afternoon and they were considering it". | A spokesman for the IPCC said the "matter had been referred to them on Tuesday afternoon and they were considering it". |
| An RSPCA spokesman said: "It was reported to us yesterday by Nottinghamshire Police. | An RSPCA spokesman said: "It was reported to us yesterday by Nottinghamshire Police. |
| "We are investigating and they are co-operating with us. | "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." | "I am sure this isn't the first incident and it won't be the last." |
| Safety measures | |
| Chairman of the Nottinghamshire Police Authority, John Clarke, said: "This is a truly tragic incident. 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 RSPCA has been informed and will, I am sure, carry out a thorough and speedy investigation. | |
| "The authority has asked to be provided at the appropriate time with a full report into the circumstances. | |
| "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 Nottinghamshire Police made a public appeal for German Shepherd dogs to be donated to increase the number of working dogs in the force. | 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. |