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23/02/2010
'Dead Dogs' PC Convicted
A Nottinghamshire police dog handler has been found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to two police dogs after they were left in a car for seven hours and died.
The dogs were found dead in PC Mark Johnson’s private car at force headquarters, Sherwood Lodge, in June 2009.
Notts Police referred the matter to the RSPCA who made a decision to prosecute.
Following a trial at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court PC Johnson was given a six-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay court costs of £2,500. He is currently suspended from duty.
Speaking after the case Assistant Chief Constable Peter Davies said the deaths of Jet and JJ last year had a "profound effect" on the whole force and the public.
"Both dogs had given excellent service to the people of Nottinghamshire and their sudden deaths were deeply shocking.
"PC Johnson inexplicably left them locked in his own car when he arrived at work on what was one of the hottest days of the year, consigning them to a painful and horrifying death."
He said the police had helped RSPCA officers build an evidential case for prosecution, as well as launching their own internal investigation.
"We have now introduced new arrangements in the light of the deaths to tighten procedures still further to ensure the highest possible standards of welfare.
"For example, dog handlers must now take their dogs directly to kennels upon arrival at work and we no longer allow them to transfer them from their own vehicle to a police vehicle."
All police vehicles used by the dog section are ventilated to control temperature.
However, police are now piloting a system whereby heat sensors in those vehicles send a signal to a key fob carried by dog handlers alerting them to changes in the temperature.
"These, and other arrangements, will continue to be monitored, and our lay visitor scheme, whereby members of the public regularly inspect the welfare arrangements for our dogs, will continue," said ACC Davies.
PC Johnson was suspended from his duties last summer, he will now face an internal disciplinary processes will now take place to determine what further action is necessary.
(PR/GK)
The dogs were found dead in PC Mark Johnson’s private car at force headquarters, Sherwood Lodge, in June 2009.
Notts Police referred the matter to the RSPCA who made a decision to prosecute.
Following a trial at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court PC Johnson was given a six-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay court costs of £2,500. He is currently suspended from duty.
Speaking after the case Assistant Chief Constable Peter Davies said the deaths of Jet and JJ last year had a "profound effect" on the whole force and the public.
"Both dogs had given excellent service to the people of Nottinghamshire and their sudden deaths were deeply shocking.
"PC Johnson inexplicably left them locked in his own car when he arrived at work on what was one of the hottest days of the year, consigning them to a painful and horrifying death."
He said the police had helped RSPCA officers build an evidential case for prosecution, as well as launching their own internal investigation.
"We have now introduced new arrangements in the light of the deaths to tighten procedures still further to ensure the highest possible standards of welfare.
"For example, dog handlers must now take their dogs directly to kennels upon arrival at work and we no longer allow them to transfer them from their own vehicle to a police vehicle."
All police vehicles used by the dog section are ventilated to control temperature.
However, police are now piloting a system whereby heat sensors in those vehicles send a signal to a key fob carried by dog handlers alerting them to changes in the temperature.
"These, and other arrangements, will continue to be monitored, and our lay visitor scheme, whereby members of the public regularly inspect the welfare arrangements for our dogs, will continue," said ACC Davies.
PC Johnson was suspended from his duties last summer, he will now face an internal disciplinary processes will now take place to determine what further action is necessary.
(PR/GK)
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