Muskingum sheriff K-9 dies from heat exhaustion after being left in unmarked vehicle

ZANESVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) -- A Muskingum County sheriff K-9 died earlier this month after he was left in an unmarked patrol vehicle, according to the sheriff's office.

The K-9, Cooper, was in a detective's unmarked patrol vehicle outside of the Drug Unit's office on Sept. 5 when he died, deputies said.

The sheriff's office said it's not unusual for K-9s to be left in their handler's vehicles for long periods of time with the vehicles running. The marked patrol vehicles have safety devices and alarms in case the temperatures get too hot. However, since the vehicle was unmarked, it did not have safety features.

Cooper began working with the detective in May 2022.

The sheriff's office is conducting an internal investigation surrounding the death.

No other details were immediately available.