New Jersey Police Officer Charged After Two K-9 Dogs Die In Hot Patrol Car
A New Jersey police officer faces criminal charges after allegedly leaving two police dogs inside a hot patrol car for seven hours, leading to their deaths.
Cody Henderson, a K-9 handler with the Salem County Sheriff’s Office, has been charged with animal cruelty, failing to care for a living animal, and unlawfully restraining an animal in dangerous conditions.
The tragedy happened on May 29, when outdoor temperatures reached 81°F (27°C). Prosecutors state that Henderson left the vehicle turned off without any ventilation. Experts warn that parked cars heat up very quickly on warm days, and cracking the windows does very little to lower the temperature inside.
READ ALSO: ErukuCity-Born Corps Commander Adeoye Sanya Celebrates Birthday In Grand Style
The two dogs—a four-year-old Belgian Malinois named Rip and a six-year-old Springer Spaniel named Boomer—were highly trained service animals. Rip was skilled in sniffing out drugs, while Boomer was trained to detect explosives. The local community had been grieving for the dogs since late May, but the details of how they died only became clear when the charges were announced this week.
When the deaths were first reported, the Salem County Sheriff’s Office posted a tribute on Facebook honoring the dogs’ loyalty and asking the public to keep the handler and his family in their prayers. That initial post did not mention Henderson’s role in the incident.
However, following the investigation, the sheriff’s office released a new statement confirming the criminal charges and acknowledging the deep heartbreak the loss has caused for the department and local residents.
Henderson is currently on unpaid leave while the legal process moves forward. His first court appearance is set for July 30.
