Georgia Deputy Fired After Police Dog Dies In Hot Patrol Car

A Georgia sheriff's deputy was fired after a police dog named K-9 Georgia died from heat exposure while left unattended in a patrol car with a malfunctioning air conditioning system and a broken heat alarm. The incident occurred in Trenton, where the heat index reached around 100 to 102 degrees, and the deputy was inside the sheriff’s office for an undisclosed amount of time. The Dade County Sheriff's Office called the time Georgia was left alone "unacceptable" and has since implemented new policies requiring K-9 vehicles to be taken out of service if any essential equipment is not fully functional, and restrictions on leaving police dogs unattended during hot weather. The case has been referred to the Dade County District Attorney’s Office to determine if charges will be filed. K-9 Georgia, a bloodhound donated by a local family, was praised for her potential and will be deeply missed by the department and community. This tragic loss highlights ongoing concerns about the safety mechanisms designed to protect police dogs from heat exhaustion.