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PERRY COUNTY, Mississsippi — A Mississippi police officer is under fire from the community after accidentally leaving his K-9 officer in a police cruiser overnight. Some have called for his job while others have called for charges to be filed.
Roughly three weeks ago, the 3-year old Belgian malinois named Napo was left in the vehicle overnight and died of an unknown cause, though the local sheriff said it could have been a heart attack or heat exhaustion while speaking to a local TV station.
Handler Steve Verret has said he simply forgot the dog was in there.
The community is in an uproar. Napo was purchased with donations from local businesses roughly 18 months ago and cost between $5,000 and $10,000.
Local animal rights advocate Katherine Sammons said Verret should be charged.
"I think he needs to get a misdemeanor neglect charge," said Sammons, who represents the Mississippi Animal Advocate Group. "I'm absolutely certain this was not intentional on the officer's part and like I said his family and him are suffering. But there does need to be consequences."
Varret has been reassigned to other duties, but has not been disciplined, according to WLOX.
