Two deaths of two police dogs inside a patrol vehicle in Sydney this afternoon are believed to have been caused by the air conditioning malfunctioning.
Police dog Xtra and development dog Soldier had been attending a development day with their handler in Lucas Heights yesterday as temperatures hit a peak of 30C.
The canines had been "in the air-conditioned pods of their purpose-built police vehicles" when they were discovered by their handler during a routine check two hours later at around 12.30pm, NSW Police said.
"They were taken to a specialist veterinary clinic but were unable to be revived."
At a press conference, Superintendent Stephen Hegarty told reporters the dogs had been left unattended in the pods.
"Unfortunately, when we returned to the motor vehicle, the power had seized and, obviously, that means the air conditioner ceased as well," Hegarty said.
Xtra had been with the police force since 2018, while Soldier joined the dog unit in February.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb called their deaths a "very sad day for the dog unit".
"We are putting all the support we can around that officer and other officers in the dog squad while they come to grips with what has happened," Webb told reporters.
"We will also continue to support the officer and his family and other staff over the next days and weeks."
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