Sgt. Lovejoy charged in death of partner

Sgt. Lovejoy has now been officially charged in the death of his canine partner Bandit.

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.

I understand that crap happens. I understand leaving your cell phone, your badge, your gun, even your wallet in your car. I do not though understand leaving a dog, your police partner, in a car alone for 13 hours in the Arizona heat. How is that 13 hours can pass before noticing that your “partner” is not there? Was Bandit not usually fed, let outside to go to the bathroom or played for this length of time?

On an 85 degree day, the temperature in a car can rise to 120 degrees within 30 minutes. With the glass acting as an insulator, the inside temperature of the car can top over 200 degrees inside. The day that Sgt. Lovejoy left Bandit in the car, the high temp in Phoenix was 109 degrees outside. How hot must that car have become before Bandit expired?

Heat stroke can generally set in at body temperatures of 104 degrees. At a core body temperature of 107, cells are damaged and internal organs begin to shut down. In children, once heat stroke sets in, they can no longer sweat. Dogs cool themselves through panting but the effect is the same.

I am happy to see that this officer is not being excused of his actions simply because he is an officer of the law. I am extremely saddened though that Bandit is the one that paid the price for his carelessness.