Protecting Pets From Heat
July 19, 2000
There is both outrage and disbelief over the death of a dog trained and owned by the Drug Enforcement Agency.
The dog died, not in the line of duty, but from heat exhaustion, after being left in a vehicle.
The D.E.A. isn't saying much because it says the matter is under investigation.
But this much is clear: An agent left the drug-sniffing dog in a hot vehicle, in the middle of the day, long enough for it to die.
The dog that died was a beagle, a female named Lady. She was also relatively small; different than traditional police dogs.
But Lady was just as highly trained to help agents discover hidden contraband and explosives in federal drug raids.
The dog's importance is part of the reason there is outrage, and disbelief, over her death.
Gene Baierschmidt/Humane Society Of Utah: "IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE THAT SOMEONE CAN DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT, WHO'S TRAINED TO WORK WITH THESE DOGS."
On days like Friday, when the incident occurred, temperatures inside a vehicle can reach 160 degrees.
And, although the D.E.A. says the matter is under investigation, it appears there was no pressing business that distracted the agent, no good reason the dog died, other than carelessness.
Don Mendrala/D.E.A. Resident Agent In Charge: "THERE'S NO ONE THAT FEELS WORSE IN THIS WHOLE SITUATION THAN THE HANDLER. THIS WAS THE OFFICER'S PARTNER. THEY TRAINED TOGETHER, REALLY FROM THE POINT WHERE THIS DOG WAS A PUP."
Drug sniffing dogs like Lady are specially trained for months, at a cost of thousands of dollars to taxpayers.
For that reason alone, resident-agent in charge Don Mendrala says the D.E.A. itself is outraged.
The case also serves as a reminder to other animal owners. Leaving a pet in a hot car can be a mistake, that could quickly turn fatal.
Don Mendrala says right now, no action has been taken against the agent.
But disciplinary action is possible, after the investigation.
