'Failure all the way around': Oklahoma County DA not filing charges after K9 died in hot car

Yahoo

28-05-2025

Oklahoma County District Attorney has declined to file charges after a Cleveland County K9 officer died of heat complications in 2024.
According to the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office, K9 Officer Dolar died on Sept. 19, 2024, while at a training session. Dolar, a Labrador retriever, was 3 years old when he joined the department in 2020 and worked with his handler at the Cleveland County Detention Center detecting narcotics.
'We are devastated by the loss of K9 Dolar,' said Sheriff Chris Amason at the time. 'Not only was he a remarkable working dog, but he was also a beloved member of our family. His contributions to our department and the community will never be forgotten.'
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation led the inquiry, and the Oklahoma County District Attorney's office carefully examined emails, photos, interviews and reports provided by OSBI to determine if charges should be brought.
According to Oklahoma County DA Vicki Zemp Behenna, the vehicle Dolar was assigned to was not set up as a canine unit, did not have a built-in kennel or heat alarm system.
In addition to the ill-equipped car, it was found that the vehicle had air conditioning issues, as it would stop blowing cold air when idling. This was known at the time of Dolar's death.
"This was a failure all the way around," Behenna said in a press release. "...The vehicle that was properly equipped as a K9 unit was removed from Dolar's handler a month prior to Dolar's death. That vehicle was used as a pool car when another handler's vehicle was repaired. These were all contributing factors that led to Dolar's death."
According to Oklahoma Drug Dog Standards and Guidelines, all vehicles used to transport police dogs should be equipped with a heat sensor monitoring device.
"The unfortunate death of Dolar could have been prevented with the issuance of proper equipment to the deputy," Behenna said. "I hope moving forward that all Cleveland County Sheriff's Office K9 handlers are provided the appropriate vehicle and equipment to keep the K9 Officers safe and avoid another death like Dolar's."
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma County DA not filing charges over K9 death in hot car