2 Police K9s Die After Being Left in SUV

South Florida residents are mourning the death of two police dogs discovered dead in inside a SUV parked outside their longtime handler’s Davie home Wednesday evening.

Jimmy, a 7-year-old bloodhound, and Hector, a 4-year-old Belgium Malinois, were left in Hialeah Police Officer Nelson Enriquez’s SUV Wednesday morning after he finished working a midnight shift. Enriquez discovered the dogs Wednesday evening and called the Davie Police Department, where he lives.

“We got the call just before 7 p.m.,” said Davie Police Sgt. Pablo Castaneda.

The Davie department is handling the death investigation while Hialeah conducts its own internal investigation, Castaneda said.

Castaneda said it’s too early to comment on specifics in the case, which is considered active and ongoing.

The cause of death hasn’t been officially determined, but Castaneda said exposure to Wednesday’s hot temperatures from within the vehicle is a strong possibility. It is unclear at this time if a necropsy will be performed, he added.

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Nelson is a 13-year veteran of the force and a seven-year K9 handler, the Miami Herald reported. He has been relieved of duty as the investigation continues.

“The Hialeah Police Department is extremely saddened by this unfortunate occurrence and every effort will be made to determine the cause of this terrible tragedy which claimed the lives of two very beloved members of our Hialeah Police family,” department spokesman Carl Zogby was quoted by the paper as saying.

Jimmy, the bloodhound, was donated to the Hialeah Police Department seven years ago by the Jimmy Ryce Center for Victims of Predatory Abduction. Don Ryce founded the center following his son’s 1995 murder in South Miami.

“I am deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of two remarkable police dogs,” Don Ryce said in a statement posted on the center’s Facebook page. “Our mission is stronger than ever and with the public’s help we hope to be able to raise funds to replace these dogs.”

Image via Shutterstock

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