A New Jersey sheriff’s officer who oversaw a K-9 unit is facing animal cruelty charges after two department dogs died in a patrol vehicle, a case now being described through the grimly specific phrase hot car K-9 deaths. Subtle, it is not.
What happened to Boomer and Rip
Cody L. Henderson of the Salem County Sheriff’s Office was arrested Tuesday and charged in connection with the deaths of Boomer, a 6-year-old springer spaniel, and Rip, a 4-year-old Belgian malinois, according to NJ.com.
Investigators say both dogs were left inside the same cruiser on May 29 while Henderson worked at the courthouse. The vehicle was allegedly parked in direct sun for about seven hours with the engine off and no windows cracked.
Henderson is accused of failing to check on the dogs until the end of the workday, when they were found dead. Authorities say they died of heat stroke.
What charges does Henderson face?
Henderson has been suspended while his court case proceeds. He faces multiple animal cruelty charges, including two third-degree counts tied to allegations that he purposefully, knowingly, or recklessly caused bodily injury to a living animal by failing to provide necessary care, resulting in death.
