Missouri officer charged after K-9 dies in hot car incident

In June, a Missouri police officer was charged after his K-9 partner, Horus, died from heat exposure after being left in a hot car overnight. The incident occurred on June 20, following the completion of their overnight shift. The officer, Lt. Daniel Zeigler, reported Horus's death to the Savannah Police Chief later that day. Investigations revealed that the temperature inside the vehicle could have exceeded 100 degrees, leading to the K-9's tragic death. Witnesses reported seeing the deceased K-9 in the yard near the police vehicle, with Zeigler expressing disbelief and distress over the incident. A test conducted on Zeigler's vehicle confirmed that the internal temperature control system was functional, indicating that it had been manually turned off, which contributed to the K-9's death. This negligence has led to one count of animal abuse being filed against Zeigler in Andrew County. A farewell service was held for Horus, who had served the community for over three years, highlighting the bond between K-9 officers and their human partners. The Savannah Police Department expressed gratitude to an anonymous donor who offered to provide a headstone for Horus, emphasizing the community's support for the fallen K-9. In response to this incident, a new law known as Max’s Law was signed, which increases penalties for harming or killing law enforcement animals. This legislation aims to protect these animals, who play a crucial role in public safety, and reflects a growing recognition of their contributions to law enforcement.