North Carolina police K-9 dies of heat exhaustion after left in patrol car

The death of a Rowan County K-9 Kantor back in April is what officials describe as a “tragic accident.”

2023-07-07

Rowan County Sheriff Travis Allen says the police dog passed away from heat exhaustion after Kantor’s handler was off duty and out of town.

Officials say Kantor became agitated and was placed in a patrol car by a family member with the air conditioning turned on. Leaving K-9's in patrol cars are common practices used to calm down a working police dog.

Sherriff Allen says Kantor died inside the patrol car after the engine shut off.

Rowan County Sheriff’s Office says heat alarms will be automatically activated in all K-9 vehicles once the engine is started.