AG investigates drug dog death
Deputy left $6,600 drug dog in hot car
6:08 p.m. Friday, July 13, 2007
In April, the Sheriff’s Department used drug forfeiture money to purchase a $6600 drug detecting dog. Two months later, the sheriff was back at the Brown County Commission meeting to tell the commissioners that dog was dead.
County Commissioner Steve Roberts tells me the sheriff reported a deputy had left the dog inside a hot car for several hours. According to that deputy he had forgotten about the dog when he went inside his home and was distracted by his kids. And Roberts tells me he does believe it was an unfortunate mistake, but for a dog the sheriff's department spent $6,600 on, it was a very expensive mistake.
"I think it was really irresponsible and unnecessary and I think the dog should still be alive,” explained Hiawatha resident Samantha Stephenson. “I was really shocked to hear about it especially when it's a dog you take care of, how could you just forget it was in the back of the car?”
“It's a sad deal but everybody makes mistakes,” said Hiawatha resident Michelle Hermesch.
“With all the good things going on in Hiawatha, I don't know why we're worried about that, just to be honest, really don't,” said Hiawatha resident Erik Madsen.
The county attorney has asked the AG to look into the matter. County Commissioner Steve Roberts says that's because it's an inside issue and they'd like an outsider to investigate.
We did contact the attorney general's office. They say they are picking up the matter but this early in the investigation, that's all the information they can give us.
Because there is such a problem with methamphetamine in Brown County, commissioners want to get another drug dog. But, before they do that, they say they'll set up some rules for how the dog will be cared for.
Comments
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Jul. 30, 2007 at 12:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)ainsworthds (anonymous)
This was no accident or "mistake". The dog was tortured to death. Let's face the truth: leaving a living being in a closed-up vehicle, is a slow torturous death. The officer should be held accountable for his negligence. If this had been a private citizen they would have been charged with animal cruelty and sent to court. Are the police officers above the law? I say no, they should be more accountable than the average citizen. SHAME ON YOU Officer!!
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