Karen Webb, the commissioner of NSW Police, said she was confident that a dog squad officer was not to blame for the tragic deaths of two of the force’s canines.
The two police dogs were discovered dead inside a vehicle in Sydney’s south on Wednesday afternoon. Their handler made the grim discovery after going to check on one of the animals.
The dogs were at a facility in Lucas Heights when they died. According to the NSW Police, the animals were found dead after their handler conducted a routine check. The canines were then taken to a veterinary clinic, but they couldn’t be revived.
Despite the investigation being conducted, Webb noted that the officer did not commit any wrongdoing.
According to Webb, she was confident that the incident was not caused by human error. She said that the police were looking into a technical issue.
Stephen Hegarty, the assistant commissioner of the NSW Police, said that the officer was devastated by the incident. He noted that the vehicles used by the canine unit have a dedicated pod inside the back.
Even though the officers are not inside the vehicle, the engine still operates and pumps air into the pod. Hegarty said that after the officers discovered the animals, they noticed that the air conditioning system had stopped working. He said that it appeared that the aircon and engine were operating properly.
Despite the force’s robust equipment, Hegarty said that it was not clear why the two dogs died. He noted that it was standard procedure for the animals to be inside the vehicle for a long time. He also said that there was an alarm system that would automatically turn on if the engine stopped.
An investigation will be carried out by detectives from the Sutherland Area Command, who will be stationed in Lucas Heights. Commissioner Webb praised the German shepherds and said that they were highly trained.
The incident has left the entire police family in mourning. The thoughts of the entire force are with the canine unit, and the investigators will be working with the help of the community to find out what happened to the animals. According to the RSPCA, it can reach up to 47 degrees in just an hour in hot weather. The police would not comment on the exact cause of the deaths.
The loss of the animals will be felt by the entire force, Hegarty noted. The police commissioner also said that the priority was to provide the best possible support to the officers and staff members. One of the dogs, named Xtra, was with the force since 2018.
By the dog unit, Xtra was involved in numerous arrests. One of these was apprehending an alleged offender who was hiding in a Mereweather house. In 2021, he was able to track a couple of people through thick bush. He was among a group of canine recruits that were chosen by sick kids from Westmead.
The police said that it was a tradition for the community to help in naming the dogs. The hospital also said that it was a special moment for the patients.