But he's a cop isn't he?

There is a lot of news lately, and most of it isn't good. I stumbled across this story while browsing the Democratic Underground to see how the Liberals liked being called names by another Democrat. That they weren't happy is a given, but my attention was focused on this story instead.

A Cincinnati Police Officer who was assigned to the Canine unit, left his narcotics detecting dog in the police car while responding to a family emergency. The dog died from being neglected in the car from the heat.

If you or I had done this, and the police found out, we would have been arrested on the spot for Animal Cruelty. No excuse would have prevented the arrest. Our wives could have been on their last hour on earth, and we would still be on our way to jail for Animal Cruelty.

If we had somehow sabotaged the police car so the engine would quit and the dog died from the heat, we would have been charged with murdering a police dog. In some states, the punishment for that is the same as murdering a police officer.

Now, the police officer in question has been placed on administrative leave, while the incident is under investigation. So for not doing his job, seeing to the safety and comfort of his assigned partner, he is paid now not to do his job.

One of my recent blog posts was about Police Officers dying from failing to wear their seatbelts. Now they're killing each other in a manner of speaking. The agreement between human, and animal is one of trust and partnership. We want the acute senses of the animal to assist us. They can detect trace elements of narcotics if properly trained. They can detect explosives, or find an fleeing suspect if so trained. These animals save lives. Find criminals, and detect dangerous items. That is their part of the agreement. Our part is to care for them, and always remember that their trust can't be taken lightly.

This officer had a family emergency. His six year old son needed emergency medical treatment. I understand that desire, the desire to see your family safely through the situation. However, how hard would it have been to leave the car running? After learning the situation with your son, couldn't he have made a phone call and said. "My police car is running outside of St. Francis Hospital, and Juno is inside. Can someone from the office come get her? I'm going to be tied up for a couple days with this."

He had to report that he was en route to the Hospital for the family emergency. He had to report that he was out of service with a family matter. He had to do these things, they're normal and natural for all police to call on the radio and report what's going on. Why didn't he add. "Juno is in the car, and someone needs to come get her and take her to the Boarding facility." I know they have to have one. He takes vacations doesn't he? There has to be a plan in case he's injured or sick and unable to care for the canine. Why didn't that plan go into effect?

The articles I've read don't say it, but I'm given to understand the child will recover. I'm gratified to hear that. Now, the question is this. When will the officer be charged with Animal Cruelty. I'm certain that the Assistant Chief of Police wouldn't be discussing Mr. John Smith's tragic family situation if Fluffy had died in the car outside of a Hospital while Mr. Smith was dealing with a Family Emergency. They would be discussing the arrest of Mr. Smith who was charged with Animal Cruelty. Doesn't Juno deserve some Justice?