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Police dogs die in parked vehicle | Police dogs die in parked vehicle |
(19 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 Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) refused to follow up a referral by police into the deaths. | The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) refused to follow up a referral by police into the deaths. |
'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. |
The Met Office said the temperature reached 28.1C (82.5F) on Tuesday in Nottingham. | |
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." |
In a statement, the IPCC said: "We received a voluntary referral from Nottinghamshire Police on Tuesday and have now considered it. | In a statement, the IPCC said: "We received a voluntary referral from Nottinghamshire Police on Tuesday and have now considered it. |
"We have decided it is appropriate for this sad incident to be returned to the police force to carry out its own local investigation. | "We have decided it is appropriate for this sad incident to be returned to the police force to carry out its own local investigation. |
"We understand the RSPCA has been informed and are aware the police force is working with them to investigate." | "We understand the RSPCA has been informed and are aware the police force is working with them to investigate." |
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." |
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 vet | 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 vet |
Nottinghamshire Police Authority chairman John Clarke said: "This is a truly tragic incident. | Nottinghamshire Police Authority chairman 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. | "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 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. | "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 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." |
The Dogs Trust, the UK's largest dog welfare charity, said it was "saddened" by the news. | 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. | 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. |