MELBOURNE, Fla. – Nearly two months after an off-duty Sebastian police officer found his assigned K-9 dog dead in a sweltering patrol vehicle, an investigation into the case by Melbourne police and the State Attorney’s Office continues.
The incident was reported April 28 in Melbourne.
"The case is still pending," Todd Brown, spokesman for the Brevard County State Attorney’s Office, told News 6 partner Florida Today. "We’ve got the file. There is no charging information."
Brown said the circumstances surrounding the case remain under review.
The officer, whom officials at both the Melbourne and Sebastian police departments have not identified, called 911 dispatchers to report the death of the K-9 officer, named Diesel, after finding him dead in a marked police cruiser.
The officer, who was assigned to be the dog's handler, told authorities he discovered the German shepherd's remains in the hot car about 7:30 p.m. on a Friday.
The case, which has been described as a tragedy by investigators, is being investigated as a potential animal cruelty case, with prosecutors reviewing several facets of the incident, including intent or negligence on the part of the officer.
The officer has not been charged in the case and continues to work at the Sebastian Police Department.
“We haven’t heard anything at this point,” said John Blackledge, commander of operations for the Sebastian Police Department.
Investigators had been looking into reports that the officer may have forgotten Diesel was in the vehicle during a visit to the Brevard County Courthouse in Melbourne.
It was not immediately known how long the police dog was in the car or how long after the visit to the courthouse the dog was found.
Diesel had been with the department for a year, Blackledge said.
Temperatures reached 88 degrees on the afternoon the dog was found in the vehicle, according to the National Weather Service in Melbourne.
The Sebastian Police Department had four K-9 officers that were specially trained to assist in law enforcement operations.