K9 died in vehicle after air conditioning failure, San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office says

(FOX40.COM) — The results of an investigation into the death of a K9 in June were released on Tuesday afternoon by the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office.

K9 Brando died from heat-related injuries on June 22 at an emergency veterinarian clinic after being pulled from a handler’s vehicle.

The investigation found that Brando’s regular handler was on a family vacation and that he was under the care of another handler at the time and was inside a sheriff’s training vehicle.

The vehicle was equipped with shade, water and air running air conditioning, which the sheriff’s office says is usual so that deputies can attend to their duties.

However, unlike other sheriff’s K9 vehicles, the training vehicle was not equipped with a heat safety alarm and the air conditioning unexpectedly failed before someone returned to the vehicle.

“A K9 can suffer life-threatening injuries due to heat within 15 minutes,” the sheriff’s office wrote in a news release. “That is all it takes. We have always stressed and shared this safety concern with the public, and we are now sadly, angrily, and intimately aware of it.”

A separate deputy found Brando in distress and transported him to an emergency veterinarian clinic where he was given medical care.

Brando was reportedly showing signs of recovery, but suffered from a seizure overnight and died at the clinic.

In the wake of Brando’s death, the sheriff’s office said they have reviewed standard procedures for K9s and their handlers and have ensured K9s are protected with fans and have proper cooling abilities while in vehicle kennels.

“Our K9s are so very loved by you,” the sheriff’s office wrote. “To you, we also share our condolences and share your sorrow. Please know that we are making every effort to ensure such an incident does not happen again.”

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