gmb45
3rd July, 2009, 03:40 AM
and so they should and be sacked
A police officer could be prosecuted over the deaths of two dogs which over-heated in a car, it has emerged.
The German Shepherds baked to death in a private car belonging to their handler which was parked at Nottinghamshire Police headquarters as temperatures soared to 29.4C.
The RSPCA can prosecute the officer if they believe he or she broke the law by leaving the animals in the baking vehicle.
A charity spokesman said: "In cases such as these people have been prosecuted in the past. The same guidelines apply when it comes to prosecuting a police officer or a member of the public.
"What we would do is investigate and then decide what is the best course of action but there is no intention to cover anything up.
"What can happen, and what does happen, is that the courts use other appropriate sanctions such as a lifetime ban to prevent tragic incidents being repeated."
The maximum sentence for causing unnecessary suffering to an animal is six months in prison and a ?20,000 fine.
The dog handler, who has not been suspended but is currently on leave at home, will be questioned by RSPCA inspectors next week.
Nottinghamshire Police will also be carrying out an internal investigation, the Independent Police Complaints Commission said.
Chief Superintendent Ak Khan said the force, which has received a number of angry calls from members of the public, was upset by the deaths.
"This has caused understandable upset and shock to all concerned," he said.
"There are procedures in place and it is important that we go back and review those and make sure that we have complied with them.
"We are taking the matter very seriously and we can understand the upset that this has caused. We will certainly learn any lessons and make sure this never happens again."
It takes nine weeks of intensive training and costs more than ?7,000 before a police dog can go out on patrol.
Nottinghamshire Police now has its own dog breeding programme but it is understood the dead German Shepherds were donated by a breeder.
In most cases police dogs live with their handlers.
A police officer could be prosecuted over the deaths of two dogs which over-heated in a car, it has emerged.
The German Shepherds baked to death in a private car belonging to their handler which was parked at Nottinghamshire Police headquarters as temperatures soared to 29.4C.
The RSPCA can prosecute the officer if they believe he or she broke the law by leaving the animals in the baking vehicle.
A charity spokesman said: "In cases such as these people have been prosecuted in the past. The same guidelines apply when it comes to prosecuting a police officer or a member of the public.
"What we would do is investigate and then decide what is the best course of action but there is no intention to cover anything up.
"What can happen, and what does happen, is that the courts use other appropriate sanctions such as a lifetime ban to prevent tragic incidents being repeated."
The maximum sentence for causing unnecessary suffering to an animal is six months in prison and a ?20,000 fine.
The dog handler, who has not been suspended but is currently on leave at home, will be questioned by RSPCA inspectors next week.
Nottinghamshire Police will also be carrying out an internal investigation, the Independent Police Complaints Commission said.
Chief Superintendent Ak Khan said the force, which has received a number of angry calls from members of the public, was upset by the deaths.
"This has caused understandable upset and shock to all concerned," he said.
"There are procedures in place and it is important that we go back and review those and make sure that we have complied with them.
"We are taking the matter very seriously and we can understand the upset that this has caused. We will certainly learn any lessons and make sure this never happens again."
It takes nine weeks of intensive training and costs more than ?7,000 before a police dog can go out on patrol.
Nottinghamshire Police now has its own dog breeding programme but it is understood the dead German Shepherds were donated by a breeder.
In most cases police dogs live with their handlers.