A Missouri police officer, Lt. Daniel Zeigler, has been charged with animal abuse after allegedly leaving his K-9 partner, Horus, inside a hot car overnight in June, resulting in the dog’s death. The incident took place on June 20 when Zeigler and Horus completed their overnight shift just before 5 a.m. Zeigler contacted the police chief later that day to inform him of Horus’s death. An investigation revealed that Horus had been left in the vehicle by Zeigler following the end of their shift and died of heat exposure. The maximum temperature that day was 90 degrees, with court documents stating that the temperature inside a vehicle can rise to over 100 degrees in a half-hour.
A witness described seeing the deceased K-9 officer in the yard near the police vehicle and Zeigler “flipping out” in disbelief that he thought he had brought the dog in at the end of his shift. Zeigler’s vehicle was tested following his confession about Horus’s death, demonstrating that the AceK9 system inside the police vehicle was working and would have had to be manually turned off or deactivated on the day of the incident. The farewell service for Horus was held to honor the dog who had served the community for over three years. The police department also announced that an anonymous donor had offered to purchase a headstone for Horus as a tribute.
A bill signed by Gov. Mike Parson called Max’s Law has increased penalties for injuring and killing animals in law enforcement. The legislation aims to protect police K-9 officers who put their lives on the line every day to protect the public and their human partners. Lt. Ziegler is still listed on the staff roster of the Savannah Police Department, according to their website. The department posted a statement on social media thanking the donor who purchased a headstone in honor of Horus. The investigation into the death of Horus has led to the filing of charges against Ziegler for animal abuse.
The court documents revealed that on the day of the incident, Ziegler’s vehicle was parked outside in direct sunlight with the ignition off. When the temperature inside reached 90 degrees, the vehicle honked repeatedly, rolled down the rear windows, and activated a fan. The working AceK9 system in the vehicle was a safety feature that was manually turned off or deactivated on the day Horus died. The tragedy has sparked outrage and calls for justice for the K-9 officer, as well as a renewed emphasis on ensuring the safety and well-being of police dogs on duty.
The tragic death of Horus has highlighted the importance of protecting police K-9 officers and ensuring their safety while on duty. Animals like Horus play a crucial role in law enforcement, putting their lives on the line to protect the public and assist their human partners. The filing of charges against Lt. Ziegler for animal abuse serves as a reminder of the responsibilities that come with caring for and working with police K-9 officers. As the community mourns the loss of Horus, efforts are being made to honor his memory and raise awareness about the crucial role that police dogs play in law enforcement.
