by Brian New & Kens5.com staff
SAN ANTONIO -- The Bexar County Sheriff's Department says two of its K-9s have died after they were left inside a patrol vehicle overnight.
According to a statement from the Sheriff's Office, the dogs were "inadvertently" left inside the vehicle overnight and died from apparent heat exposure.
The deputy responsible, identified as Deputy Steve Benoy, has been placed on administrative leave as the Animal Care Services and the BCSO investigate the incident. He was described as a 23-year veteran who has been assigned to the K-9 unit for 13 years of his career with the BCSO.
According to the statement, Benoy is "completely devastated by the tragic accident."
Sheriff Amadeo Ortiz said in the statement, "Deputy Benoy has been a dedicated officer during his career; he has never received any discipline during his tenure with the Sheriff's Office. It is my belief that this is a tragic accident however; the Sheriff's Office is following standard procedures in conducting a thorough investigation."
The Sheriff's Office is withholding any other comments until preliminary reports are obtained from the investigation, according to the release.
This is not the first time a Bexar County K-9 has died inside a vehicle.
In June 2010, a K-9 was left inside a cruiser that was parked outside the sheriff's training academy. The dog died while being rushed to the veterinarian's office.
Deputies later determined the 5-year-old dog died from pre-existing medical issues.
