Animal lovers are outraged after two German Shepherds on a British police force payroll were left in a car on one of the hottest days of the year and were cooked alive, according to animal welfare experts, the Daily Mail reported.
The dogs were left outside the Nottinghamshire Police headquarters, and their handler, who was described as "very experienced," could be prosecuted under the Animal Welfare Act.
The unidentified handler has not been suspended but if convicted could face six months in jail. The outside temperature in the area on Wednesday was 85 degrees, and the temperature in the car soared up to 116 degrees, according to the Mail.
The dogs were among 26 operational canines whose duties include tracking down criminals and providing security at major events. They were donated to the force by the Dogs Trust charity.
The force referred the case to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, but an IPCC spokesman said: "We have decided it is appropriate for this sad incident to be returned to the police force to carry out its own local investigation."
Debbie Waller, chairman of the charity People And Dogs Together (PADS), spoke for many who were appalled by the incident when she expressed her outrage.
"You would have thought the police would have been taught how to properly look after their dogs," she told the Mail. "I would expect a prosecution to be considered."
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