Police dog's death spurs policy re-evaluation

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Merced Sun Star

Corinne Reilly

The Merced Police Department has bolstered its policy on police dog handling following the death earlier this month of one its top K-9 officers.
Riley, a 3-year-old black Labrador retriever, died on Aug. 10 after she was left unattended for several hours in a patrol car.

An autopsy performed by a local veterinarian determined Riley's death was caused by prolonged heat exposure, said police Cmdr. Tom Martin.

Martin said the department is currently conducting an administrative review of events leading to the dog's death, which has already prompted new rules prohibiting officers from leaving their K-9 partners in vehicles unattended.

Previously, he said, department policies did not specifically address whether dogs could be left inside cars alone.

Riley's handler, officer Jeff Horn, left her in the back seat of his patrol car outside the department's central station on M Street while he and other officers prepared paperwork to request a search warrant.

Horn reportedly left the car's engine and air conditioner running, but found the engine stalled upon returning to the car.

The outside temperature in Merced at the time Riley's body was found - around 4 p.m. - was 102 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

The vehicle's windows were rolled up.

Martin said the department's administrative review will determine if any disciplinary action or further policy changes are necessary. He couldn't say when the review might conclude.

"We're still looking at everything, so we're just not sure yet if anything else will be done besides the policy change we've already made," said Martin.

The patrol car is currently at a local mechanic. The cause of the engine failure hasn't been determined.

In her two years with the department, Riley distinguished herself as one of the area's most skilled drug-sniffing dogs. Numerous local, state and federal agencies often requested her help on their toughest cases, said Martin.

In one of her biggest busts, he said, Riley sniffed out 35 kilograms of cocaine concealed in spare tires and hidden compartments inside a Chevy Avalanche. The find led Drug Enforcement Agency officers to seizures of more than $1 million.

"She was an excellent dog, and very good at her job," said Martin.

Horn has been with the department for about nine years and is currently assigned to its gang suppression unit. Riley was Horn's first K-9 partner.

Per department protocol, Riley spent time both on and off duty with Horn and resided at his home.

"This has been a tremendous loss for Jeff and his family, and for the whole department," said Martin. "It's like losing a family member."

Horn has declined to speak publicly about Riley's death. Other officers say he is still emotionally distraught over the loss.

The Merced Police department has three other K-9 officers. Riley is the first dog to die while working for the department.

Martin said the department hasn't yet decided whether it will replace Riley, or who would cover the approximately $7,000 cost of purchasing a new dog.

He said a private memorial ceremony for Riley will be held later this month.