Salina Police Chief Jim Hill says the department is grieving the loss of a police dog that died July 19th due to hot weather that has become entrenched over central Kansas.

Chief Hill met with Salina media Thursday morning and said the dog, a 3-year-old German Shepard and Belgian Malinois mix, had been properly cared for, just like all of the canine’s that have been a part of the department for the last 21 years.

The police dog was watered and boarded in a kennel specifically designed to protect him from the weather, but he succumbed to the persistent heat wave.  Hill says the dog did appear to be off a bit on July 12th, but had bounced back and performing normally. The dog had been on duty with the department since March of this year.

The Chief says the canine’s play an important part in law enforcement and the last year police dogs helped with the seizure of $5.4 million  of drug proceeds and 106 pounds of cocaine.  Dogs also help clear a crime scene faster, and suspects facing the possibility of dealing with a dog give themselves up faster.

The dogs come from Europe and the cost of each dog is around $8,500 which is funded with drug forfeiture money.