California K-9 dies in police car, results show heat was cause of death

LONG BEACH (KRON) — A Long Beach K-9 has died, according to the Long Beach Police Department.

“Ozzy” was in the officer’s K-9 car when he died.

He and his handler were both off-duty during the incident.

Police said the death wasn’t intentional.

“We believe this was an accident and we are taking all the necessary steps to avoid this from happening in the future.”

The #LBPD is extremely saddened to announce the death of K-9 Ozzy. At the time, Ozzy & his handler were both off-duty and Ozzy was inside the officer’s department issued K-9 vehicle. The death was immediately reported to the LBPD and a review into the circumstances was initiated. pic.twitter.com/VMy6xBk3Gv

— Long Beach PD (CA) (@LBPD) August 23, 2019

The K-9 cars have fail/safe equipment that is supposed to send out alerts. The department believes the alert system was not working at the time, according to officials,

A veterinarian examination determined the cause of death to be heat-related.