Specially trained police drug dog Totti tragically dies after being left in hot car for over two hours
The handler tried to cool down the trapped pup after it was released from the motor but it was too late
AN investigation has been launched into the death of a drug detecting dog after it was left in a hot car by its handler and was effectively boiled alive in the heat.
Totti, a faithful yellow labrador who worked with the Department of Corrections Drug Interdictions Unit, was attending an exercise at Rockview Prison in Pennsylvania, US, when the incident happened.
According to website Pennlive.com, she was part of the K9 training facility.
Amy Worden, who acts as a Corrections spokeswoman. revealed Totti's handler, Sgt. Chad Holland, had gone to his car and put items from the exercise in it at around 12.15pm.
But it wasn't until 2.44pm he realised she was locked inside and couldn't get out.
They rushed to the squad car to get her out and attempted to cool her down with a water hose and ice.
Although she was conscious it was too late to save her.
It is the first time this has happened since 1995, and Worden said everyone who was involved was "devastated."
The K9 group was moving from its boot camp to the prison when Totti got trapped.
Worden said the director of the Drug Interdiction Unit had met with handlers to go through dog care with them again, and also discuss ways to make sure this couldn't happen again in the future.
Susan McNaughton, press secretary for the state DOC, said Totti died on Thursday: "When the handler realized this fact, he and others rushed to the vehicle and began emergency care of the dog, including hosing him down and carefully cooling him with ice.
"At the time that they did this and at the time they took him to a vet, the dog was conscious.
"Everyone involved was incredibly and understandably upset and concerned for the dog.
"Unfortunately, the dog did not survive. This has been very devastating for everyone involved. "