Officer Chad Berry, a K9 handler for seven years, left Spartacus, a Belgian Malinois, in his patrol vehicle when he arrived home in Pickens County on June 17, according to police.
Berry found Spartacus dead inside the patrol car at about 9 p.m.
How do you forget your partner who is with you day and night, at home and at work? Chad Berry, when you tarnish one badge, you tarnish them all.
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| Spartacus, killed by his partner, CHAD BERRY |
A necropsy of the 3-year-old K9 determined the probable cause of death was heat stroke, according to police.
Investigations by the Pickens County sheriff and the Woodstock Police Department confirmed Berry had no intent to injure Spartacus.
Berry, a nine-year veteran of Woodstock Police Department, was fined $325, removed from the K9 program and suspended without pay for 10 days (they let them use vacation days during unpaid suspensions so they don't stop getting a paycheck).
He has been reassigned to the traffic enforcement unit, according to police.
But, like most police agencies, they'll quietly move him back to the K9 unit when all the media attention dies down.
Spartacus, a certified multi-purpose dog, performed narcotics detection, tracking, and apprehension for the department, according to Brittany Duncan, Woodstock police spokeswoman.
Spartacus' death prompted an internal review of the Woodstock Police Department's canine policies and further safeguards were added to ensure the safety of other K9s, according to police.
(WSBTV - July 26, 2013)
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