Long Beach Police K9 Found Dead In Patrol Car

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LONG BEACH (CBSLA) – A K9 for the Long Beach Police Department found dead in an officer's patrol car earlier this month may have died from overheating, police said Friday.

An undated photo of Ozzy, a Long Beach Police Department K9 who was found dead in his handler's patrol car on Aug. 14, 2019. (LBPD)

Ozzy was found dead Aug. 14 in his handler's patrol vehicle while both were off-duty, according to Long Beach police spokeswoman Arantxa Chavarria.

A veterinarian determined the cause of death was "heat related", Chavarria said.

"Our K9 vehicles are outfitted with fail/safe equipment that is meant to generate an alert. At this time, we believe this alert may not have been working," said Chavarria.

All K9 handlers in the department are reviewing the heat system controllers in the patrol cars prior to every shift.

An investigation is underway. Ozzy's handler was not immediately identified. It's unclear if the officer will face any kind of discipline.