Missouri Police Dog Dies From Heat Exhaustion After Being Left in Patrol Vehicle

Arnold, MO — A 4-year-old German Shepherd named Vader, serving as a K-9 officer with the Arnold Police Department, died on Wednesday from heat exhaustion. The dog was left in a patrol vehicle with the air conditioning running, but the A/C reportedly failed, leading to the tragic incident.

The Department's Statement:

• “We lost a member of our K-9 family in a tragic accident...When Vader’s partner returned to the vehicle, they found the air conditioning system had malfunctioned.”

The incident is currently under investigation, and police are looking into why the vehicle's heat alarm system, which is designed to notify the handler and reduce temperature, failed to activate.

Vader's handler, Officer Tim Mayberry, had put the dog into service in 2021.

“Please keep Vader’s handler, his family, and the members of the APD in your thoughts and prayers as we mourn the loss of our K-9 partner," - Police Spokesperson.

Link: Missouri police dog dies from heat exhaustion after A/C in patrol vehicle reportedly fails.