[TexKan]

Sure would hate to be him


PHOENIX -- Authorities arrested a Chandler police officer Wednesday in the death of a police dog that was left in a hot patrol car for more than 12 hours, KPHO-TV in Phoenix reported.

Chandler police Sgt. Tom Lovejoy was booked into Maricopa County jail in Phoenix on a misdemeanor charge of animal cruelty after a two-week investigation into the death of 5-year-old Belgian Malinois "Bandit."

Lovejoy was released later Wednesday, said Capt. Paul Chagolla, a spokesman for the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.


Lovejoy said because of pending legal action, he had no comment.

"I am certain Sgt. Lovejoy has suffered greatly from leaving his police dog in a sweltering car," Sheriff Joe Arpaio said at a news conference.

"I do not relish the idea of compounding his sadness. However, Lovejoy must be treated like anyone else in similar circumstances," Arpaio said.

The sheriff's investigation showed Bandit was in Lovejoy's patrol car from about 9 a.m. to a little after 10 p.m. on Aug. 11.

The high temperature in Phoenix that day was 109 degrees.

During that time, the investigation found that Lovejoy ran errands for his wife, napped for a short time and later ate out with his wife. Lovejoy later found the dead dog in the car.

"As a Department, we respect and support the criminal justice systems and processes in place," Chandler Police Chief Sherry Kiyler said in a statement.

"We remain saddened by the loss of K-9 Bandit. At this time, our internal investigation is continuing, and further comment by our department would be inappropriate until the completion of this process," Kiyler said.

Lovejoy faces up to six months in jail or up to $2,500 in fines.

He remains on desk duty with the Chandler Police Department pending an internal investigation.