A 9 year-old Shih-Tzu named Mr. Chops had been picked up as a stray and transported to a local veterinarian located in Henderson on Thursday, according to a statement released Tuesday by police. Through the dog’s microchip, the vet determined the dog’s owner information and contacted the Henderson Animal Care and Control Facility.
The dog was picked up by a Henderson animal control officer to be taken to the Animal Care and Control Facility until the owner could pick up the dog, police said in the statement. After returning to the facility, the dog was unintentionally left in the vehicle and discovered deceased the next day.
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| RIP Mr. Chops |
The family was notified in person by a Henderson Police deputy chief and captain.
“On behalf of the Henderson Animal Control staff, I wish to extend our sympathies to the family of the dog who lost its life while under our care. This is the first time this type of incident has occurred at the Henderson Animal Care and Control Facility and the staff is devastated by the accidental death of the dog,” said Henderson Police Chief Patrick Moers. “The staff is currently reviewing policy to address the process for impounding and delivering animals from the animal control vehicles to the facility.”
Moers added, “Though the staff does all they can to keep the animals safe while in our care, we’ll work with our staff to ensure this unfortunate event does not occur again in the future.”
The incident is under investigation.
Jonathan Whipple posted this on Facebook:
I'm writing this post more-or-less in shock of what I've just found out about one of dearest friends, Mr. Chops.
Mr. Chops is my little brother's dog, he's had him since he was in Elementary School. He was this super feisty little Shih Tzu that has bit me no less than 50 times over his lifespan.
This weekend, Mr. Chops got out of my Dad's yard and ran into a stranger who was kind enough to drop him off at a local Animal Hospital. When the Animal Hospital staff were leaving for the weekend, they called Henderson Animal Control (in Nevada, outside of Las Vegas) to come pick up the dog for the weekend.
With no knowledge of Mr. Chops being picked up over the weekend by Animal Control, my brothers and Dad searched for him everywhere...until this morning.
This morning, my Dad was visited by the Assistant Chief, Shift Commander and Grievance Counselor of the Henderson County Police Department, because Mr. Chops was left in the back of the city's Animal Control van over the weekend and as he tried to claw his way out of the vehicle, HE WAS COOKED TO DEATH.
I'm always shocked when I hear of people leaving pets or children in cars, especially when it's in the sun, but for this to be a licensed professional, employed by the city - it is completely inexcusable.
Part of me wants to tell my family to report this to the news and part of me wants to tell them to sue the city for emotional distress, but all of me just wants my brother's dog back at home, chewing holes in his socks, barking at neighbors and waiting for treats.
I don't really know what else to say about this other than, I wish you'd all met Mr. Chops. He was amazing.
I'm gonna miss you, man. :'(
(Las Vegas Review Journal - Aug 2, 2016)
