K9 Killing Cop Flees Post In Suicide Attempt

84 Comments

File photo

KENT, UK – The head of a police dog training school in the UK was reportedly recovering today from an attempt to commit suicide after two police dogs roasted to death in his car on one of the hottest days of the year.

Sergeant Ian Craven could face prosecution for animal cruelty after the dogs – a Belgian Malinois bitch called Chay and a German Shepherd puppy, Tilly – were found dying in an unventilated vehicle at the Metropolitan Police’s training centre in Kent, south-east England, on Sunday (local time) as temperatures soared to 84F (29C).

It is the second time a puppy in his care has died after being left in a sweltering car in hot weather. He was disciplined following a similar incident three years ago.

The 49-year-old father of three, one of England’s most experienced dog handlers, had locked the animals in his vehicle with the windows closed before going to a meeting in east London. He remembered them around an hour later and phoned colleagues to raise the alarm.

Kennel workers cut open the cage, but despite attempts to resuscitate the dogs, they were later pronounced dead by an emergency vet.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police confirmed to The (London) Times today that Sergeant Craven had been admitted to the hospital with a “hand injury”.

The spokesman declined to confirm reports the officer had jumped from a colleague’s moving car and attempted to slash his wrist.

Kennel assistant, Tina Dale, 54, who was among those who tried to save the animals, described it as the “worst day of my life”.

She said on a social networking site, “The suffering those dogs went through is too unbearable to think about. I’m in bits, we tried so so hard, but it was too long, the damage had been done. What a bloody awful way to die.”

A Met Police spokesman said it was investigating the incident.

The deaths follow those of two German Shepherd police dogs, who were left to die in a baking hot car outside Nottinghamshire Police headquarters in July 2009. Police dog handler Mark Johnson was handed a six-month conditional discharge after he was found guilty of animal cruelty in relation to their deaths.

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copper380

almost 2 years ago

2026 Comments

Sad....yes, should he continue in K9....no, condemn a man and his future over an animal......I think not. He should be diciplined but fired or criminal charges? If he intended to hurt the animals I could see people being very upset but I do not believe he intended to do the dogs harm. I pray you can recover from this Sgt.. Remember, you have a family to think about!!

I do feel bad about the dogs suffering and it is a very sad situation.
LMS_Tactical

almost 2 years ago

12 Comments

Just an observation...... people who cut their wrists to "attemp suicide" are just looking for attention or a in this case.... pretending to want to die. I doubt that there have been more than two deaths in the world from cutting wrists and those two were from infection! This A hole should be covered in dog doo doo and left in a hot car for five hours...... then fired!
MikeCase

almost 2 years ago

2 Comments

The Highway Patrol K-9 vehicles here in California have a system to automatically start the engine and turn on the air conditioning when temperastures reach a certain limit. I think all K-9 vehicles in the world should have such a system.
Dispacher

almost 2 years ago

12 Comments

If his Dept. handles things like we do here in the States he will be on Administrative leave in no time.
A month later he will be back to work, Business as usual.
Most likly walking a beat writing tickets for Animal Cruelty, I mean he is their most experienced Officer.
Robocop33

almost 2 years ago

14374 Comments

Horrible. You know that this guy did not mean this and was mentally destroyed that it actually happened again. He does need to get help to get over this accident. He really does not need to be in K9 anymore but his suffering is more than any punishment that we could ever give him.
Madisyn77

almost 2 years ago

220 Comments

Makes me sick... I can't imagine how the K9's must have felt. My heart goes out to them.
uncledennis1

almost 2 years ago

22364 Comments

I am certain he will be dismissed from the agency. He clearly is not stable. R.I.P. our 4 legged friends.
36TR

almost 2 years ago

7298 Comments

To the K9's, RIP!! Can't believe they allowed him to have another K9, let alone 2. AND, he's the "head" of the K9 Training Academy????

Sad!!!!
Bury

almost 2 years ago

1344 Comments

So if a babysitter leaves a kid in the car to die, its okay to let them babysit other kids? Sounds likes the kind of logic they used. Too sad!
Fredder

almost 2 years ago

190 Comments

There is no excuse for this. NONE!
Asmarak

almost 2 years ago

12 Comments

Off with his head
Cntrl_9

almost 2 years ago

86 Comments

He deserves to be fired and prosecuted for his lack of concern for these animals in his charge. What kind of a failure is this guy? He can’t even commit suicide. Idiot.
MockTertl

almost 2 years ago

248 Comments

how horrible ... :-(
FederalK8

almost 2 years ago

32 Comments

"one of England’s most experienced dog handlers" (SERIOUSLY). Obviously something was lacking here. To the K9's, God bless you and we will see you when we get there.
vlouie

almost 2 years ago

1366 Comments

To the K9's RIP. You cannot leave a vehicle with the dogs in the back without leaving the air conditioning on. You wouldn't want to leave your kids in the back of a hot car would you?