Police dog dies in hot car
September 6th, 2007 by ClaudeFrom CNN.com (LINK)
PHOENIX, Arizona (AP) — A suburban police officer is accused of leaving a police dog in a patrol car for more than 12 hours on a 109-degree day, killing the animal.Â
Sgt. Tom Lovejoy is charged with animal cruelty for leaving his police dog in a hot car.
Chandler police Sgt. Tom Lovejoy was booked into the Maricopa County jail on a misdemeanor charge of animal cruelty after a two-week investigation into the death of a 5-year-old Belgian Malinois named Bandit.
He was released later Wednesday, said Capt. Paul Chagolla, a spokesman for the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s investigation showed Bandit was in Lovejoy’s patrol car from about 9 a.m. to shortly after 10 p.m. August 11. During that time, the investigation found, the officer ran errands, napped and ate out with his wife. Lovejoy later found the dog dead in the car.
Commentary: This seems like serious neglect of an animal and duties. Also, isn’t killing a police dog punishable to the same extent as killing a police officer? I would have some sympathy for Officer Lovejoy if he had left his police dog in the car during routine duties, but to be running errands, napping and having dinner is not an acceptable excuse for this offense. Although it seems like the justice system has spoken, giving this guy a misdemeanor charge…nice. Outside of the cruelty to animals, the fact that this dog was a police dog, think of the amount of time and money invested in this police dog by the taxpayers, I would hope that could be re-couped at minimum from Officer Lovejoy.
September 6th, 2007 at 1:23 pm
Couldn’t agree with you more about the definition of killing a police officer. Yes, killing a police dog IS killing a police officer legally.
And then to hear what his boss Sheriff Joe Arpaio said, “”I am certain Sgt. Lovejoy has suffered greatly from leaving his police dog in a sweltering car. I do not relish the idea of compounding his sadness.” GIVE ME A BREAK.
The dog was left in the car for THIRTEEN HOURS – no food, no water. That really sounds like someone who cares about the well-being of an animal.
It just another example of cops trying to cover up for each other.
September 6th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
How can you ever trust an officer that has such disregard for his best friend/K9 ’s life? I am sure that dog would have given his life for him but this is how he treats them? Kick him out of the force!
September 6th, 2007 at 1:55 pm
I agree with AS KICK HIM OFF THE FORCE What a creep! I live in PHX If that officer EVER pulls me over I will not stop for him. I would be in fear of my own life. He is not smart enough or in control of his own actions to be an officer. ARE ALL ARIZONA POLICE AND SHERIFFS LIKE THIS?!?! THe citizens of Phoenix should be afraid, VERY AFRAID
September 6th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
If Mr Lovejoy is charges with leaving the polce dog in his car, the lady in Ohio who forgot her 2 year old kid but not the donuts to suffer a slow death in her car should be charged as well.
September 6th, 2007 at 2:36 pm
This man should never be allowed to ever own an animal. He should be relieved of his duties as he obviously, has shown the public (that he is supposed to protect) that he is negligent and inhumane. He made the decision to leave that animal in the car. That was not an oversight. Forgetting simply shows that he does not have the intelligence or maturity to be a police officer. Consider for one minute that animal waiting for his master only to die a cruel and inhumane death. He should have to donate time to animal shelters for the rest of his life. Perhaps, he can team up with Michael Vick…. What a senseless mindless crime!
September 6th, 2007 at 2:39 pm
Clearly this officer is too irresponsible to be tasked with anything more than making sure the last donut gets eaten. The police are supposed to serve and protect the general public. When you’re too incompetent to realize that leaving a dog in a car, presumably with the windows up, all day is probably not the best idea, anything more mentally taxing than asking “Would you like fries with that?†is better left to others.
September 6th, 2007 at 4:13 pm
I was so fuming mad when I read about this. I agree with many of your comments. Most HUMANE and CARING police officers treat their police dogs with dignity and respect (because they may save their life one day). Many of them call them “partners” and as with any police related homicide… It should be taken VERY seriosly. I agree this man is TOO STUPID to ever be an effective police officer and I also agree that he should have to repay the taxpayers whatever money when into training that lovely dog (maybe donate to SPCA or something). I am just in shock… this kind of stupidity that results in death just blows me away!
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September 10th, 2008 at 11:37 pm
Why is this all about Lovejoy…what an idiot….he kills his partner, gets off, and wants some money on top of it all. There is a poor animal who suffered for hours before giving up on life. All Lovejoy cares about is how his life has been disrupted, NARCISSIST. You need to be FIRED…now!!!